dating someone

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started dating someone else.

The New Yorker

Joan was dating someone, too.

The New York Times

I'm dating someone great.

The New Yorker

Is he dating someone?

The New Yorker

But he, too, was dating someone.

The New York Times

12. Would you consider dating someone older?

The New Yorker

Too bad she's dating someone else.

The Guardian - Film

"What do you mean you're dating someone?

The New Yorker

"But I'm dating someone now," she said.

The New Yorker

"I'm dating someone in America," Min said.

The New Yorker

"He was dating someone else at the time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about relationships, use "dating someone" to indicate a casual or developing romantic connection. For more serious relationships, consider phrases like "in a relationship with someone".

Common error

While "dating someone" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound too casual in formal or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "involved in a relationship with" or "seeing someone exclusively" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dating someone" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle construction, indicating an ongoing action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dating someone" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe a romantic relationship. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is correct and suitable for general use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "dating someone" serves to inform about a current romantic involvement. While versatile, it's essential to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Alternatives include "seeing someone" or "in a relationship with someone".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeing someone

Focuses on the act of having dates, rather than the formal relationship.

going out with someone

Implies a romantic involvement, often suggesting regular dates.

involved with someone romantically

Emphasizes the romantic aspect of the relationship.

in a relationship with someone

Highlights the commitment and connection between two individuals.

courting someone

A more formal and old-fashioned way of saying "dating someone".

seeing each other

Focuses on the mutual involvement and interaction.

romancing someone

Highlights the romantic efforts made by one person.

involved romantically

Focuses on the romantic connection without explicitly mentioning dating.

seeing a partner

Uses the word 'partner', implies a more serious and committed relationship.

involved with a partner

Uses the word 'partner', implies a more serious and committed relationship.

FAQs

What does "dating someone" mean?

The phrase "dating someone" means being involved in a romantic relationship with someone, typically involving going on dates and spending time together.

What's a more formal way to say "dating someone"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "involved in a relationship" or "seeing someone exclusively" instead of "dating someone".

Is it correct to say "dating with someone"?

No, the correct phrase is "dating someone", not "dating with someone". The preposition "with" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What can I say instead of "I'm dating someone" to sound more casual?

For a more casual tone, you could say "I'm seeing someone" or "I'm going out with someone".