dating back to that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dating back to that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the origin or time period of something in relation to a specific point in time or event. Example: "The ancient artifact is believed to be dating back to that era of civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Has he moved?" Mr. Millstone asked his extended circle of Facebook friends, some dating back to that same era.

The New York Times

But in other ways, the HealthSouth case echoed many earlier accounting fraud cases, dating back to that of Equity Funding in 1973.

The New York Times

Sadly, merely exciting moments are almost as rare in this sincere, talk-heavy play about the divisions in American culture and politics dating back to that troubled decade.

The New York Times

In other words, the tree was phenomenally successful and well adapted, yet it seems likely the disease got it then, as we have evidence of one of the carrier beetles dating back to that time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ferguson and Smith have many happy shared memories, dating back to that first meeting in Largs.

BBC

I could call him Aca, but his real name was Acamapichtli, named for his family line dating back to that first Aztec emperor, with a lineage extending to the great Toltec ruler Quetzalcoatl.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It dates back to that 1980 team".

The New York Times - Sports

First, that its editorial independence, which dates back to that truce, is imperative; without it, this would be just another weekly.

The Economist

The Swabian saying Schaffe, schaffe, Häusle baue – which translates as "work and work to build a house" – also dates back to that time.

The Guardian

Merrill's sale of its Bloomberg L.P. stake marks the end of a relationship that dates back to that company's founding, as well as a sign of their diverging fortunes.

The New York Times

The secret tax agreements date back to that era.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dating back to that" to clearly establish a historical connection or origin relative to a specific time, event, or period mentioned earlier in the context. This phrase enhances clarity and provides a temporal anchor for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "dating back to that" without a preceding reference point. Ensure the context clearly indicates the 'that' refers to a specific time or event already mentioned to prevent confusion and maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dating back to that" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the time frame from which something originates or has its roots. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in specifying a historical connection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dating back to that" effectively establishes a historical link to a specified time or event, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to provide context and temporal grounding. While grammatically sound and usable across various contexts, ensure a clear reference point exists. Ludwig AI indicates a neutral register, lending itself to news, science and general explanations. Alternatives like "originating from that" can provide similar meaning. The phrase is seen with a frequency that can be described as uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originating from that

Emphasizes the point of origin or beginning from the specified time.

having its origins in that

Similar to originating from that, but places greater emphasis on the complete origin.

stemming from that

Suggests that something developed or resulted from that particular time or event.

tracing back to that

Highlights the ability to follow something's history to that specific point in time.

having its roots in that

Implies that the foundation or basis of something lies in that period.

deriving from that

Indicates that something is sourced or obtained from that particular era.

descending from that

Suggests a lineage or line of succession originating from that time.

emanating from that

Implies that something originated and spread out from that specific point in time.

springing from that

Suggests that something emerged or arose suddenly from that specific time.

being a product of that

Highlights that something was created or developed as a result of that period.

FAQs

How can I use "dating back to that" in a sentence?

You can use "dating back to that" to connect a present fact to a past event or period. For example: "The tradition is still alive, dating back to that ancient ceremony".

What are some alternatives to "dating back to that"?

Alternatives include "originating from that", "stemming from that", or "tracing back to that". These phrases provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it more formal to say "dating back to that" or "originating from that"?

"Originating from that" might be considered slightly more formal in some contexts, but "dating back to that" is widely acceptable in both formal and informal writing.

Can I use "dating back to that" to refer to an event in the future?

No, "dating back to that" should only be used to refer to events or periods in the past. It establishes a historical connection, which is not applicable to future events.