dating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to romantic relationships or the act of going out with someone. Example: "They have been dating for several months now and seem very happy together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 10% hurdle, dating from the military-authored constitution of 1980, had been intended in part to diminish Kurdish representation in the parliament.

The Guardian

In 2013 Fairfax Media entrusted a digitising business called Rogers Photo Archive in Little Rock, Arkansas, with millions of newspaper photographic prints and negatives dating back as far as the 19th century – from the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sun-Herald, the Australian Financial Review, the Age in Melbourne and 72 New Zealand newspapers.

The Guardian

Russia was already a victim of corruption dating back to the communist regime and beyond.

The Guardian - Business

Related: From online dating to driverless cars, machine learning is everywhere "It's that idea of focus and perspective as two ends of that spectrum, and that for anything you're doing, you're moving back and forth between them.

The Guardian - Tech

The real Hawking was diagnosed before he started dating Jane.

The Guardian - Film

I found a secret database that tracked 30 years of leaks – software, music, movies – from every major piracy crew, dating back to 1982.

The Guardian - Books

The comments, and the backlash against them, illustrate how a tormented racial history dating back centuries is in constant tension with the aspiration of a "rainbow nation".

The Guardian

Winners are grinners, obviously, but one early theme of the inquest into England's Ashes defence was the apparently happier, more relaxed outlook of Australia's squad dating back to well before the start of the series.

The Guardian - Sport

The DUP's HQ looks as well guarded as many military compounds, the murals dating from the Troubles still decorate most street corners and the offices of the Ulster Volunteer Force are still well maintained.

The Guardian

His demand for and receipt of bribes, the authorities allege, was a key part of a 24-year racketeering and bribery conspiracy, dating from 1991 to 2015, which led to "endemic corruption" of Fifa itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps it's the musty old cellars, some dating back to the 1680s.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing relationships, use "dating" to indicate a romantic courtship phase where individuals assess compatibility.

Common error

Be clear whether you're referring to a romantic relationship or the age of an artifact to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "dating" functions primarily as a verb, often in its present participle form, to describe the act of engaging in romantic encounters. Ludwig AI showcases examples where "dating" is used to denote the process of courtship and assessing compatibility. It can also act as a noun, denoting the activity itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dating" is a versatile word with applications in both romantic and chronological contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. In romance, "dating" describes the exploratory phase of a relationship. Chronologically, it refers to estimating or assigning a date. Its register is typically neutral, though it can become more formal in academic or scientific settings. While generally "correct", clarifying context is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "going out with" or "estimating the age of" can provide greater specificity. Overall, understanding these nuances will help you to use "dating" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going out with

Emphasizes the activity of spending time with someone romantically.

seeing someone

A more casual way to describe a romantic relationship that is not yet serious.

in a relationship with

Highlights the state of being romantically involved with someone.

involved with

Suggests a connection or association, which can be romantic or otherwise.

estimating the age of

Focuses on the process of determining the age of something.

assessing the age of

Emphasizes a more formal or scientific approach to age determination.

determining the period of

Highlights establishing a specific time frame.

assigning a date to

Focuses on the act of giving something a specific date or time.

setting the date for

Emphasizes the scheduling or planning of an event.

originating from

Highlights the beginning or source of something from a certain time.

FAQs

How can I use "dating" in a sentence?

You can use "dating" to describe the process of going out with someone romantically, as in "They've been dating for six months". Alternatively, it can refer to the estimation of age, such as "carbon dating".

What can I say instead of "dating" when referring to a relationship?

You can use alternatives like "going out with", "seeing someone", or "in a relationship with" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something is described as "dating back to"?

When something is described as "dating back to", it means its origin or existence can be traced to a specific time in the past. For example, "The tradition dates back to the 18th century".

Is there a difference between "dating" and "in a relationship"?

"Dating" usually implies a period of exploration and assessment of compatibility, while "in a relationship" suggests a more committed and defined romantic connection.