date as far back

USAGE SUMMARY

"date as far back" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe the amount of time that has passed since something happened or was created. It can also be used to talk about historical events or the origins of something. Example: The ruins of the ancient city date as far back as 2000 BC. The tradition of exchanging gifts during Christmas dates as far back as the 4th century. This custom dates back as far as the 17th century. The roots of this rivalry can be traced back as far as the early 1900s. I didn't realize that this recipe dated back as far as my great-grandmother's time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Efforts to obtain the electronic messages date as far back as 1996 in some cases.

The New York Times

The bodies date as far back as the Bronze Age, and often show signs of ritual sacrifice and violent death.

The New Yorker

The deepest split between mtDNA haplotypes is that between the Eastern and the Southern (including both the Southern_S and Southern_N) clades, which might date as far back as the Miocene [ 4].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Its origins date as far back as the middle ages.

The Guardian

Found in northern Nigeria, these sculptures date as far back as 800 B.C.

The New York Times - Arts

The oral tradition of fable in India may date as far back as the 5th century bce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A total of 203 bodies dating as far back as the 18th century were uncovered.

The New York Times

Lawyers have said the questioning has focused on allegations of offenses dating as far back as the 1970s.

The New York Times

Fossil struthioniforms dating as far back as 12 million years have been found in southern Russia, India, and north-central China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Graves dating as far back as the 1600's long lay undisturbed behind the landmarked Flushing Quaker Meeting House at 137-16 Northern Boulevard. 137-16 Northern Boulevard

The New York Times

Written reminiscences, compiled mostly in the 1950s but dating as far back as the 1890s, also tell of bones being found when basements were dug.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "date as far back", ensure that you provide a specific time or event to give context to the origin you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using past tense redundantly. Instead of "It dated as far back to...", use "It dates as far back as...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date as far back" functions as a verb phrase indicating the earliest known time or origin of something. Ludwig AI provides many examples where this phrase is used to connect a subject to its historical beginning or starting point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "date as far back" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the earliest known time or origin of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, it is valuable for establishing historical context and antiquity. To ensure clarity, always provide a specific time or event when using this phrase. Remember to use the correct tense ("dates as far back as"). Related phrases like "originate from a distant past" or "extend back to antiquity" can serve as alternatives. The phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originate from a distant past

Emphasizes the origin and the remoteness of the past.

extend back to antiquity

Uses a more formal term to indicate a very old origin.

have roots in ancient times

Highlights the historical roots or foundations.

go all the way back to

More informal phrasing that still indicates a distant origin.

be traced to a remote period

Focuses on the ability to trace something back in history.

be historically linked to

Highlights the historical connection to a specific time.

hail from a bygone era

Suggests the origin is from a past, often idealized, time.

stem from way back

A more colloquial way to express a distant origin.

be dated from a long time ago

More verbose but conveys the same meaning of historical dating.

have its genesis in

A more formal way to express origin or beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "date as far back" in a sentence?

You can use "date as far back" to indicate the earliest known time something existed or occurred. For example, "The artifacts date as far back as the Bronze Age."

What is a synonym for "date as far back"?

Synonyms include "originate from a distant past", "extend back to antiquity", or "have roots in ancient times".

Is it correct to say "dates back as far as" instead of "date as far back"?

Both "date as far back" and "dates back as far as" are grammatically correct. The former is slightly less common, but perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "date as far back" and "dating as far back"?

"Date as far back" is often used when referring to a general fact or characteristic, while "dating as far back" is used to describe a continuous process or a specific instance.