dating back to when

USAGE SUMMARY

"dating back to when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the origin of something by referring to a time in the past. For example, "That painting dates back to when my grandparents were in college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The character is a fiction, dating back to when Spielberg was planning to direct the movie.

The Guardian - Film

No one should visit Trieste without experiencing an authentic buffet, a tradition dating back to when the city was under Austrian rule.

The Guardian - Travel

Having to work with Mr. Maffei displeased Mr. Diller; the two had a frosty relationship dating back to when IAC bought Expedia while Mr. Maffei was chief executive.

The New York Times

Court documents dating back to when the intelligence agencies were tracking IRA suspects suggest the numbers involved could be double or close to triple even that estimate.

The Guardian

The Lemieux stoppage represented his 21st consecutive knockout, a streak dating back to when he was fighting eight-rounders during George W Bush's administration.

The Guardian - Sport

Two days later police arrested six men in connection with a bombing attempt that seems to have been linked to the polls.Aceh has a history of violence dating back to when Dutch colonists attempted to tame the rugged region.

The Economist

Yet despite their current rivalry Mr Wahid and Miss Megawati have a long and close relationship, dating back to when her father was president and his was a revered Muslim cleric.

The Economist

Gavin Gordon, 31, who has a string of convictions for violence dating back to when he was a teenager, was given an indeterminate sentence and told he must serve a minimum of nine years before being considered for parole.

Independent

His actions, they say, simply reflect the pro-business, antiregulatory philosophy that he has espoused for more than three decades, dating back to when Mr. Boehner, the son of a tavern owner, ran a small plastics company in Ohio.

The New York Times

That technical information, Microsoft says, is available not only in Google's Android software but also Apple iPhones, as part of a deal dating back to when Google's chief executive, Eric E. Schmidt, was on the Apple board.

The New York Times - Tech

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee convened to hear allegations of sexual assault made by Christine Blasey Ford against Judge Kavanaugh, dating back to when they were both teenagers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dating back to when", ensure the timeframe you're referencing is clearly understood by your audience. Provide specific details or markers to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "dating back to when" without providing sufficient context. If the reader cannot easily understand the historical reference, the phrase loses its effectiveness and can create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dating back to when" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the time period in which something originated or began. It introduces a temporal clause, specifying when an event, tradition, or phenomenon first appeared. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dating back to when" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate the origin or starting point of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its frequency of use is "very common," particularly in news and media. While suitable for various registers, ensuring clarity and context is essential to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "originating from when" or "starting from when" to fine-tune your writing. Remember to provide specific details to enhance understanding of the historical reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originating from when

Focuses on the origin but uses a different verb form.

starting from when

Emphasizes the starting point in time.

going back to when

Similar in meaning, but uses a more conversational tone.

deriving from when

Similar to originating, but with a stronger emphasis on the source.

from the time when

Rephrases using "time" as a noun.

stemming from when

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship from a past event.

since the era when

More formal, specifying an "era".

beginning in the era that

Highlights the start during a period of time.

in the days when

Evokes a sense of nostalgia or a past period.

in the period that

A more generic rephrasing, less specific to a single point in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "dating back to when" to show the origin or starting point of something. For example, "This tradition "dating back to when" the city was under Austrian rule is still practiced today."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "originating from when", "starting from when", or "going back to when", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dating back to when" formal or informal?

"Dating back to when" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "since the era when" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "dating back to when" and "dating from"?

"Dating from" typically refers to a specific date or period, while "dating back to when" is more flexible and can refer to a time defined by an event or situation. For example, "The artifact dates from the 18th century," versus "The conflict "dating back to when" the two nations were formed."