date the document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "date the document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to assigning a specific day and/or time to a document. For example, "Please be sure to date the document before filing it away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Players were required to sign and date the document to acknowledge they had received it, and everybody on the 40-man roster did so.

The New York Times - Sports

After that date the document disappeared.

Wikipedia

The participants themselves or their legal representatives and the witness (when necessary) sign and date the document in two counterparts.

BMJ Open

For example, all instances of medication prescription that were not prescribed at the 'present time' (this refers to medication prescribed up until today, or from today with regard to the date the document was written) and that did not include a dose value were excluded at the point of data extraction.

BMC Psychiatry

Date the document.

WikiHow

Sign and date the document.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"This legislative year has seen the most action on renewable mandates to date," the documents said.

The Guardian

While he concedes that "the person who actually wrote it could well have known the Prophet Muhammad", Professor Thomas believes too much emphasis has been placed on dating the document on "graphical evidence", such as handwriting trends.

Independent

Make a copy of the confidentiality agreement for each party after they have signed and dated the document.

WikiHow

Make sure the date on the document matches the date you will be meeting with the notary, if the letter will be notarized.

WikiHow

As of the date of the document, Lehman had already filed for bankruptcy protection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Verify the date before finalizing to avoid confusion, and if required, use formal way of writing the date, like '2024, July 17th' or '17th of July, 2024'.

Common error

When using a template or recurring document, double-check that you update the date each time to maintain accuracy. Otherwise, it can be confusing or can be considered as falsification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "date the document" functions as an imperative, instructing someone to add the date to a document. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "date the document" is a grammatically correct imperative phrase used to instruct someone to add the date to a document. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears across various contexts, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science, indicating its broad applicability. While relatively uncommon, it is essential for accuracy and record-keeping. Remember to use a consistent date format and to update recurring documents to avoid errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affix a date to the document

This alternative suggests a more formal action of attaching a date.

enter the date on the document

This option focuses on the act of writing the date.

write the date on the document

This describes the physical act of writing.

specify the date in the document

This suggests a requirement to include the date.

include the date in the document

This focuses on incorporating the date as part of the document's information.

put the date on the document

This is a more casual way of saying to add the date.

record the date on the document

This implies noting the date for record-keeping purposes.

fill in the date on the document

This suggests completing a missing date field.

indicate the date on the document

This is a general way of saying to show the date.

annotate the document with the date

This implies adding the date as a note or annotation.

FAQs

How do I properly "date the document" in a legal setting?

In legal contexts, ensure the date is clearly written and uses a universally understood format (e.g. YYYY-MM-DD). It should be placed near the signature or at the top of the document and match the signing date. Never back /s/dated+the+document or future /s/dated+the+document the documents, since this may indicate malicious or fraudulent acts.

What's the difference between "dated the document" and "date the document"?

"Dated the document" implies the action has already been completed in the past, while "date the document" is an instruction or request to perform the action now or in the future.

Are there alternative phrases to "date the document" that sound more formal?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "affix a date to the document" or "enter the date on the document". These options add a level of formality suitable for official or professional contexts.

Where should I place the date when I "date the document"?

The date is typically placed at the top of the document, near the signature line, or in a designated area specified by the document's format. Consistency in placement is crucial for maintaining a professional appearance and clarity.