designate a date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designate a date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to specify or assign a particular date for an event or deadline. Example: "We need to designate a date for the meeting to ensure everyone can attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Under the law, Mr. Geithner has until Sunday -- 60 days from the signing of the act -- to designate a date for transferring to the new bureau functions currently performed by the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other agencies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the case of jurisdictions which banned the sale or use of lead-based paint prior to 1978, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, at the Secretary's discretion, may designate an earlier date.

Cornell University

(A commutation allows a convict to leave prison at a designated date; a pardon can also involve an end to a prison sentence but bestows a broader restoration of rights, like the right to vote or own a firearm).

The New Yorker

(A commutation allows a convict to leave prison at a designated date; a pardon can also involve an end to a prison sentence but bestows a broader restoration of rights, like the right to vote or own a firearm). Last week, the President announced that he had commuted the sentences of ninety-five federal prisoners and granted two pardons.

The New Yorker

The earliest known bone fossils of an animal that fulfilled all of the criteria to be designated a true dinosaur date from about 230 million years ago.

The New York Times - Science

Designate a specific date and time to pay your bills and honor that commitment weekly.

Huffington Post

Legislators in Tibet passed a bill on Monday mandating an annual celebration of that event by designating a special title for the date.

The New York Times

The coat-of-arms of Höpken designates an armorial plate dating from about 1730 as part of a service ordered for Baron Niclas von Höpken, a Swedish secretary of state who was also an investor in the Swedish East India Company.

The New York Times - Arts

There's also a countdown timer with a designated "WAKE DATE" of October 27, suggesting their might be some kind of announcement at that time.

Vice

With this policy form, you put away money now and will receive a fixed income for a predetermined period of years at a designated future date.

Forbes

If all goes well, a highlight of the event will be the reading of a White House proclamation designating this date as a national observance of the battle.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designate a date" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for making the designation. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "designate a date" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "set a date" or "pick a date" are often more appropriate and sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designate a date" functions as a verb phrase, where "designate" is the verb and "a date" is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase in English, acting to specify when something will occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "designate a date" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that means to officially choose a date for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability is high and the spectrum of related words or use cases is wide. Common alternatives include "set a date" or "assign a date". While versatile, it's best suited for formal or neutral contexts, rather than casual conversation. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. Therefore, writers should feel confident using this phrase in a variety of professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a date

Replaces "designate" with "set", implying a similar action of establishing a date.

assign a date

Substitutes "designate" with "assign", suggesting a formal allocation of a date.

determine a date

Replaces "designate" with "determine", indicating a process of finding out or deciding on a date.

establish a date

Uses "establish" instead of "designate", implying the formal creation or setting of a date.

fix a date

Replaces "designate" with "fix", suggesting a firm and unchangeable setting of a date.

appoint a date

Substitutes "designate" with "appoint", implying a formal selection of a date.

schedule a date

Replaces "designate" with "schedule", focusing on the act of placing a date in a timetable.

name a date

Uses "name" instead of "designate", suggesting the act of specifying a date by name or number.

nominate a date

Replaces "designate" with "nominate", indicating a proposal or suggestion of a date for consideration.

stipulate a date

Substitutes "designate" with "stipulate", suggesting a clear and specific requirement for a date.

FAQs

What does "designate a date" mean?

The phrase "designate a date" means to officially choose or specify a particular date for an event, task, or deadline. It implies a formal or deliberate selection process.

How do I use "designate a date" in a sentence?

You can use "designate a date" when you want to express the act of assigning a specific date. For example: "The committee will designate a date for the conference next week."

What can I say instead of "designate a date"?

You can use alternatives like "set a date", "assign a date", or "determine a date" depending on the context.

Is "designate a date" formal or informal?

"Designate a date" is generally considered formal. For informal contexts, consider using phrases like "set a date" or "pick a date".