dated each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dated each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a romantic relationship between two people who are seeing each other. Example: "After a few months of getting to know each other, they finally decided to start dating each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They never dated each other again during their college years.

The New York Times

Casey Moss and Kara Price never dated each other, or anyone else.

The New York Times

Would we have gotten married if we had met in the conventional Western manner and dated each other?

The New York Times

(When the receptionist announced, "Harold is here to see you," Ms. Smith recalled, she wondered, "Harold who?") They dated each other through the spring and summer.

The New York Times - Style

Although the couple's years at college overlapped, and their best friends dated each other, they did not meet until June 2008 when a mutual friend, Elsa Ramo, thought they should be introduced.

The New York Times

Parkinson's statement made reference to fact that the pair had dated each other for a year and a half, including the period when he was at Vote Leave and Sanni worked as a volunteer and treasurer at another Brexit campaign, BeLeave.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Nations do not date each other.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

So why did they not date each other?

The New York Times - Style

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

The Guardian

By March they were dating each other exclusively.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dated each other" when you want to emphasize the reciprocal nature of the dating experience. For instance, "They dated each other for a few months before deciding to become exclusive."

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the duration or context of the relationship when using "dated each other". For example, instead of just saying 'They dated each other,' consider adding 'They dated each other briefly in college.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dated each other" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reciprocal romantic relationship between two people. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe a period when two individuals went on dates and were romantically involved.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dated each other" is grammatically correct and used to describe a reciprocal dating relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While the basic meaning is clear, it's often helpful to provide additional context regarding the duration or nature of the relationship to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "were seeing each other" or "were going out together" can sometimes be used, but they may lack the specific emphasis on mutual involvement that "dated each other" provides. When employing this phrase, be mindful of clarity and ensure that the reader understands the reciprocal nature of the dating experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were seeing each other

This alternative emphasizes the act of spending time together and exploring a romantic connection.

were going out together

This alternative is a common and straightforward way to describe a dating relationship.

were in a relationship

This alternative is more general and can apply to various types of relationships, including romantic ones.

were romantically involved

This alternative emphasizes the romantic aspect of the relationship.

were an item

This alternative is a more informal way to describe a couple.

were a couple

This alternative is a more direct and concise way to describe a dating relationship.

were going steady

This alternative is an older, more traditional way to describe a committed dating relationship.

were linked romantically

This alternative highlights the connection between two people.

had a romantic liaison

This alternative suggests a more intimate and potentially short-term romantic connection.

were keeping company

This alternative is a somewhat old-fashioned way to describe a dating relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "dated each other" in a sentence?

You can use "dated each other" to describe a romantic relationship where two people went on dates. For instance, "Although they were friends for years, they never "dated each other" until after college."

What is a simple alternative to "dated each other"?

A simple alternative is "were seeing each other", which conveys a similar meaning of being romantically involved.

Is it redundant to say "dated each other"?

While "dated" implies reciprocity, ""dated each other"" emphasizes that both individuals were actively involved in the dating process, clarifying the nature of their relationship.

What's the difference between "dating" and "dating each other"?

"Dating" can refer to the general act of going on dates, while "dating each other" specifies a mutual romantic involvement between two specific people.