date on which

USAGE SUMMARY

"date on which" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a specific date, so long as the date has already been mentioned or is known to the reader. For example, "Please RSVP by the date on which the event is scheduled to take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

16h, the date on which the State Dept.

The New Yorker

The date on which it appeared.

The Guardian

Few could name the date on which the 26 counties regained their independence from Britain.

The Guardian - Books

Each drawing is untitled, identified only by the date on which she made it.

The New York Times - Arts

The first uncertainty is the date on which exit negotiations will start.

The Guardian - Business

Judge Subryan set April 7 as the date on which the trial will begin.

The New York Times

Ideally, the dying person would choose a date on which he would die.

The New York Times

The 24-year-old's ban was backdated to 1 May, the date on which he provided the sample.

The Guardian - Sport

The point isn't that the United States needs a specific date on which we will withdraw our forces from Iraq.

The New York Times

This Final Judgment shall expire at the end of ten years from the date on which it takes effect.

The New York Times

It was 22 August, the same date on which, 527 years previously, the Battle of Bosworth Field had been fought.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "date on which" to clearly specify a particular date when providing context or explaining events. This phrase is particularly useful in formal writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "date on which" in casual conversation or informal writing, where simpler alternatives like "when" or "that day" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date on which" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun (date) and providing additional information about it. It specifies the timing of an event or action. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "date on which" functions as a relative clause to specify the timing of an event, primarily for clarification and precision. While grammatically correct and widely used, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is more suited to neutral and formal registers rather than casual contexts. Alternatives such as "when" or "that day" might be more appropriate for informal communication. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific publications, and wiki sources, reflecting its utility in providing specific temporal details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day that

Replaces "date" with "day" using a simpler word choice.

day when

Replaces "date" with "day" and "which" with "when" for conciseness.

the time when

Emphasizes the time aspect rather than the specific date.

occasion when

Focuses on a specific event, using "occasion" instead of "date".

time that

Similar to "day that", but refers to a more general period.

moment when

Highlights a specific point in time.

point in time when

More formal way to indicate a specific moment.

the day in question

Refers back to a previously mentioned date.

the specified date

Highlights that it is a date already explicitly specified.

said date

Used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a previously mentioned date.

FAQs

How can I use "date on which" in a sentence?

You can use "date on which" to provide more specific information about when something happened. For example: "The form must be submitted by the "deadline" date on which registration closes."

Are there simpler alternatives to "date on which"?

Yes, depending on the context. You can often use "when", "that day", or "the day that" as simpler alternatives. For example: instead of "the date on which the event will be held", you could say "the day "of the event"".

Is "date on which" more formal than other alternatives?

Yes, "date on which" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "when" or "that day". It is often used in legal, academic, or professional contexts where precision is important.

Can "date on which" always be replaced with "when"?

While "when" can often replace "date on which", it is not always appropriate. "Date on which" is useful when you need to specifically emphasize that you are referring to a particular date. For instance, "Specify the "exact date" on which you submitted the application."