date from then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "date from then" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something originates or begins at a specific time in the past. Example: "The manuscript dates from then, providing insight into the era." Alternative expressions include "originates from that time" and "comes from then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Recipes for many of Harpo's more popular items date from then, including large loaves of crusty Italian bread ($1.99), dinner rolls ($3.49 a dozen) and pizza ($1.25 a slice, $19 for a whole pie).

The New York Times

Many of the great public buildings (including Manchester Town Hall) date from then.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(The party line premise most likely dates from then).

The New York Times

I fell over and banged my head five years ago; I think it dates from then".

The Guardian

Other excavations in this Blue Bridge/Bancroft hill-side uncovered a further seven substantial settlement sites, dating from then until 100 BCE.

Wikipedia

Then he called and asked her out for a date 10 days from then.

The New York Times - Style

The reason for this start date was that from then onwards the NTS worked with both devices, CoaguChek XS and INRatio2.

Advances in Therapy

Josh: We dated from January, 2013, to April, 2014, and then we weren't dating, but we also weren't not_ _dating from July, 2014, to September, 2014, and then we briefly dated again between November, 2015, and February, 2016.

The New Yorker

Café Central, 109 North Oregon Street, [phone], originally a restaurant in Juárez dating from 1918, then moved across the river after Prohibition ended, is now a sleek bistro with zebra-print upholstery, modern art and a courtyard.

The New York Times - Travel

Fecal samples were collected from 10 sows prior to their expected farrowing date, and then from all their piglets on days 2, 7, 30, 44 and 62 of life.

Anaerobe

Rimsky-Korsakov wrote, "In the winter of spring of 1891 [actually 1890 ] Tchaikovsky came to Saint Petersburg on quite a long visit, and from then dated his closer intimacy with Belyayev's circle, particularly with Glazunov, Lyadov, and me.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the referent for "then" is unambiguous to prevent reader confusion about the specific time of origin.

Common error

Do not confuse "date from then" with "last since then". The former identifies the moment of origin, while the latter refers to the span of time something has continued to exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date from then" functions as an intransitive verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. The verb "date" specifies a point in time of origin, while "then" serves as a deictic temporal pronoun. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to attribute age to artifacts or records.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "date from then" is a precise and sophisticated way to anchor the origin of something to a previously established time. Ludwig AI confirms that while the exact match might appear less frequently than its variations, it is a hallmark of high-quality journalistic and academic prose. It is most effective when used to maintain narrative flow, avoiding the repetitive listing of specific years. Writers should ensure the antecedent for "then" is crystal clear to maintain clarity. Overall, it is a reliable tool for any writer looking to establish historical context with brevity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originate from that time

Uses a more formal verb to emphasize the point of creation.

go back to then

A slightly more idiomatic and common way to express historical depth.

stem from then

Implies that something developed as a result of that specific period.

trace back to that period

Suggests a historical investigation or a clear line of lineage.

date back to that era

Specifies that the origin belongs to a broad historical span.

commence from that point

Focuses on the precise start time rather than historical age.

begin at that time

A simpler, more direct alternative suitable for general contexts.

exist since then

Focuses on the continuity from that point to the present.

start from then

Highly informal and conversational way to indicate a starting point.

belong to that age

Categorizes the item as a product of a specific historical epoch.

FAQs

How to use "date from then" in a sentence?

You can use it to refer to a previously mentioned time, for example: "The castle was rebuilt in 1450 and the current walls "date from then" too."

What can I say instead of "date from then"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "originate from that time", "go back to then" or "stem from then".

Which is correct, "date from then" or "date back to then"?

Both are correct, but "date back to then" is more common in descriptive historical writing, whereas "date from then" is more concise.

What is the difference between "date from then" and "date since then"?

The phrase "date from then" marks the starting point, while "date since then" is less common and often incorrectly substituted for "have existed since then".