dates were obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dates were obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the collection or acquisition of specific dates in a research or reporting context. Example: "In the study, the dates were obtained from various historical records to ensure accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Radiocarbon dates were obtained from samples of >1000 foraminifera tests.

Nature

This procedure is necessary because a sum of the calibrated dates assumes that observations are independent, whereas this is not the case when multiple dates were obtained for single sites or phases within them.

Nature

Finally, in order to obtain a chronostratigraphic sequence, radiocarbon dates were obtained from wood, charcoal and ash samples (analyses undertaken at the laboratory of radiocarbon dating of Ifao, Cairo, Egypt).

Journal of Archaeological Science

Radiocarbon dates were obtained on peat and plant macrofossils sampled from either side of the proposed hiatus at two different but closely-spaced (<20 m) locations across the mire.

Journal of Archaeological Science

To understand the river history and help assess the risk to the project, the fluvial/debris-flow sequences exposed along the 5 km-long river reach upstream of the buried tunnel entrance were examined, and a total of 38 radiocarbon dates were obtained for chronological constraints.

Engineering Geology

Macroremains were rare (except for Aurélie lake), and most dates were obtained from bulk sediments (gyttja).

Forest Ecosystems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The corresponding dates are obtained from Thomson Reuters Datastream.

Business Research

The divergence dates are obtained thanks to paleontologic calibration points, which are mostly available for relatively old divergences.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Information on re-hospitalisations through December 31, 2007 (causes and dates) was obtained for all patients from the Minimum Basic Dataset (CMBD), a national administrative database.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

OS and survival date were obtained from medical charts and the Belgian national registry.

Cancer Epidemiology

The majority of GPCR crystal structures published to date were obtained with receptors bound to orthosteric antagonists, and only a few structures bound to allosteric ligands have been reported.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dates were obtained", clearly specify the source from which the dates were acquired to enhance transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who obtained the dates. Instead of "Dates were obtained", specify "Researchers obtained the dates" or "The study obtained the dates."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dates were obtained" functions as a passive construction indicating that specific dates were acquired or retrieved from a source. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where the phrase is used to describe the process of acquiring dates from various records and databases.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

News & Media

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dates were obtained" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to indicate the acquisition of dates from a particular source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts, emphasizing objectivity and clarity. To ensure effective communication, it is crucial to specify the source of the dates to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "dates were collected" or "dates were acquired" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. This detailed analysis provides writers with the necessary insights to utilize the phrase accurately and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dates were acquired

Replaces "obtained" with "acquired", indicating a similar process of gaining possession of the dates.

dates were collected

Substitutes "obtained" with "collected", emphasizing the gathering of dates from various sources.

dates were gathered

Similar to "dates were collected", but with a slightly different nuance in the gathering process.

dates were determined

Focuses on the process of establishing or calculating the dates, rather than simply acquiring them.

dates were ascertained

Replaces "obtained" with "ascertained", suggesting a more careful and investigative process of finding the dates.

dates were extracted

Emphasizes the removal of dates from a larger dataset or source.

dates were sourced

Highlights the process of finding the origin or provider of the dates.

dates were accessed

Focuses on the act of gaining entry or permission to view the dates.

dates were derived

Suggests that the dates were calculated or inferred from other data.

the dates are known

Shifts from a passive voice to an active statement about the availability of the dates.

FAQs

How do I use "dates were obtained" in a sentence?

Use "dates were obtained" to indicate that specific dates were acquired or gathered from a source, as in "Mortality "dates were obtained" from the Finnish National Population Register."

What are some alternatives to "dates were obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "dates were collected", "dates were acquired", or "dates were gathered" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "dates were obtained" or "dates were collected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Dates were collected" might be preferred when emphasizing the act of gathering information, while "dates were obtained" may be used in more formal settings.

From which sources are "dates were obtained" usually derived?

Dates can be obtained from various sources including registries, databases, historical records, patient reports and more. It depends on the context of the data collection.