date each other

USAGE SUMMARY

"date each other" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to two people who are going out together or exploring a romantic relationship. For example, "Sarah and Joe have been dating each other for a few months now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Nations do not date each other.

The New Yorker

So why did they not date each other?

The New York Times - Style

We date each other, we're too busy making love to each other".

The Guardian - Music

"What does?" "You know — airline crews work crazy hours, so they tend to date each other.

The New Yorker

Her friends' advice was nearly unanimous: Date each other or work together, but do not attempt to do both.

The New York Times

Does it matter if I beat you?" Last year the China Daily said there was an "unwritten law" that table tennis players should not date each other.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

When I met Neil Gaiman and we embarked upon our cautious let's-date-each-other phase, I made it really clear that I was always going to need time alone, to create, be with my own thoughts, songs and work.

The Guardian

"Everyone at Second City tried dating each other," O'Hara said.

The New Yorker

"They had been dating each other but she dumped him".

The Guardian

They never dated each other again during their college years.

The New York Times

By March they were dating each other exclusively.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "date each other" when you want to emphasize the reciprocal nature of dating, where both individuals are actively participating in exploring a romantic connection. For example, "After being friends for years, they decided to date each other."

Common error

Avoid using "date each other" when describing a situation where only one person is interested or pursuing the other. Use phrases like "one person is interested in the other" or "one person is pursuing the other" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating a mutual action between two individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase emphasizes that both subjects are involved in the act of dating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "date each other" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed reciprocal verb phrase used to describe two individuals exploring a romantic relationship. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is commonly found in news articles, general media, and scientific literature. While versatile, "date each other" carries a neutral register and is best suited for general conversation and writing. When a reciprocal relationship is not actually implied by the context or relationship, it is better to consider alternative phrases, which nuance is not covered by the meaning of "date each other".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be seeing someone

This alternative is a more indirect and subtle way of saying someone is dating.

be an item

A more informal and concise way of saying that two people are dating.

go out with one another

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the reciprocal aspect of dating.

be going steady

This alternative implies a committed, exclusive dating relationship, often used in a more vintage context.

see each other romantically

This alternative is more descriptive and highlights the romantic nature of the relationship.

be involved romantically

This alternative focuses more on the emotional and intimate connection between the individuals.

be romantically involved

This alternative focuses on the involvement itself rather than the act of dating.

form a romantic relationship

This alternative emphasizes the establishment of a relationship.

court one another

This alternative is more old-fashioned and implies a more formal and traditional approach to dating.

have a relationship

This is a more general term that may or may not imply dating.

FAQs

How do I use "date each other" in a sentence?

You can use "date each other" to describe a mutual romantic involvement, like in the sentence "They decided to "date each other" after being friends for a long time".

Is "dating each other" the same as "date each other"?

Yes, "dating each other" is the continuous form of ""date each other"", indicating an ongoing process of exploring a romantic relationship.

What's a more formal alternative to "date each other"?

A more formal alternative to ""date each other"" is "pursue a romantic relationship with one another" or "be romantically involved with each other".

Can "date each other" be used in a professional context?

While technically grammatically correct, using ""date each other"" in a professional context is highly unusual and potentially inappropriate. It is best reserved for describing personal relationships.