date

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "date" is correct and highly usable in written English.
You can use the word "date" when you want to indicate a specific day or time, or to refer to two people going out together. For example: "I have a date with my girlfriend tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The need to introduce residence permits to restrict access to public services and welfare benefits for new migrants stems from the simple fact that despite the Home Office's £800m "e-borders" project nobody's passport is stamped with the date they entered Britain.

The Guardian

The purpose of this project was to start a conversation with young people and engage them in making something – we now have nearly 50,000 of them to date.

The Guardian

Tickets are not transferable to another date for the same course.

The Guardian

Rudd has not said when he will call the poll or whether he will stick with Julia Gillard's nominated election date of 14 September, but appears to have the confidence of the hung parliament.

The Guardian

To date the politician – one of Greece's canniest operators – has managed to maintain approval ratings of close to 70% despite rolling back on almost every promise he has made.

The Guardian

This article has been amended to make clear that the MSF report marks the first anniversary of the date of the official outbreak of Ebola in west Africa.

The Guardian

When two people enjoy a good date or fall in love, it is the best feeling in the world.

The Guardian

Each year, on the anniversary of their first date, Fitt would buy stockings and chocolates, and repeat his journey to see the woman who would become his wife.

The Guardian

"At this late date, prompt passage of the USA Freedom Act by the Senate is the best way to minimize any possible disruption of our ability to protect the American people," Clapper said on Friday.

The Guardian

He said: "Some are saying we ought to proceed with the case... some are saying we must push through and get a date".

The Guardian

In a clear signal the Rudd government is preparing for a crackdown on people smugglers ahead of the federal election, Carr said his department was preparing "up to date" information for the immigration tribunals about the political situation in the countries from which refugee applicants come, so they did not approve those who had no genuine fear of persecution.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "date" to refer to a specific day or time, and consider synonyms like "deadline" or "timeframe" to better align with your intended meaning.

Common error

Be specific when using "date" in formal writing. Always include the year to avoid confusion, as the meaning can change depending on the context and cultural norms.

Linguistic Context

The word "date" serves as both a noun (referring to a specific day or a social engagement) and a verb (meaning to determine the age of something or to go on a social engagement). Ludwig shows various examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Sport

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "date" is a versatile term, functioning as both a noun and a verb with various applications ranging from specifying a point in time to describing social engagements. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and high usability of "date" in English. Its frequent usage across diverse contexts like news, business, and science demonstrates its widespread relevance. Remember to be specific to avoid ambiguity, especially in formal settings. Consider alternatives like "schedule" or ""particular day"" to fine-tune your message. "Date" is a common and highly usable word in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day of the month

Specifically mentions the day within a month, providing clarity.

particular day

Replaces the general term with a more precise reference to a day.

point in time

Refers to a moment without being exact.

arrange a meeting

Focuses on scheduling an event rather than specifying a calendar day.

schedule

Emphasizes the planning of an event, rather than the day itself.

set a deadline

Emphasizes the final day for completion, shifting the focus from a general time to a specific endpoint.

establish a timeframe

Highlights the establishment of a specific period.

timeline

Highlights a sequence of events over time rather than a particular day.

go out

Implies leaving home for an activity, often socially, reducing the emphasis on a scheduled event.

meet socially

Describes a social gathering, removing the romantic implication of "date".

FAQs

How to use "date" in a sentence?

You can use "date" to refer to a specific day (e.g., "The meeting date is July 31") or to a social appointment (e.g., "I have a date tonight"). The meaning is often clear from the context.

What can I say instead of "date" when referring to a specific day?

Alternatives include "day of the month", "particular day", or "specific time", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "date" when referring to a social encounter?

You could use "social engagement", "meetup", or simply say "I'm going out" to imply a social event.

How do I specify a "date" range clearly in writing?

Use a format like "from January 1 to January 31" or "between January 1 and January 31". Avoid ambiguous phrasing that could be misinterpreted.