fictitious dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fictitious dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to dates that are not real or have been made up, often in contexts like storytelling, legal documents, or data analysis. Example: "In the novel, the author cleverly weaves fictitious dates into the narrative to enhance the plot's intrigue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To preserve complete anonymity, the actual dates are modified by replacing with fictitious dates.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Kerviel's account to prosecutors differs from a timeline provided Sunday by the chief executive of Société Générale's investment banking division, Jean-Pierre Mustier, who said a review of the trader's records indicated that the fictitious transactions dated to late 2006 or early 2007.

The New York Times

This exhibition, featuring several sophisticated young artists including Matt Stokes and Olivia Plender, also features Mario Garcia Torres's projection of semi-fictitious cinematic dates to remember and Cyprien Gaillard's haunting film of a young man in a modernist architectural setting diving into a lake and bloodying his nose.

The Guardian - Arts

Table 10 User characteristics in a fictitious two-sided dating market Variable name Description Group 1: men (m) Group 2: women (w) Prob m /prob w Basic probability to become a paying user 6%2 2 % Fee m /fee w Avg.

Business Research

The cards were made out to fictitious buyers whose names, dates of birth and addresses were supplied by the government witness.

The New York Times

The report of the Cour des Comptes noted that the autonomy promised to the Louvre in 1993 was to date "largely fictitious" because the museum still had to answer to two Culture Ministry departments, the Reunion of National Museums, which oversees 33 government-owned museums, and the Direction of French Museums, which fixes government subsidies to museums.

The New York Times - Arts

Expect false prophets coming in Jesus' name: Many people will be deceived by false prophets (including people who set a fictitious -- guessing the -- date for the end).

WikiHow

Ms. Quinn has also stressed in her defense that the use of fictitious groups to hold money in reserve dates back to her predecessors, Peter F. Vallone Sr. and Gifford Miller, a claim that records and former staff members under those speakers confirmed.

The New York Times

In some countries the assigned date of birth is not as significant as in Sweden and the date of birth may be fictitious [ 3].

European Journal of Epidemiology

The Council's use of fictitious organizations to hold money in reserve dated to at least the 1990s, when Peter F. Vallone Sr .was the speaker.

The New York Times

She has said that the Council's use of fictitious organizations to hold money in reserve dated to 2001, five years before she became speaker, and that when she learned of the practice last year, she ordered that it be stopped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fictitious dates" in data analysis or research, always clearly state that the dates are not real to avoid misinterpretation or misuse of the data.

Common error

Avoid using "fictitious dates" without proper context or disclaimers, especially in formal reports or legal documents, as it can lead to confusion or be seen as deceptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fictitious dates" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "fictitious" modifies the noun "dates", indicating that the dates are not genuine or real. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fictitious dates" correctly denotes dates that are not real, serving the purpose of protecting privacy, creating narratives, or simulating data. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, even if it's infrequently used. Usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academic research. Remember to use it responsibly and always provide appropriate context to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "false dates" or "made up dates" can also be employed depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fabricated dates

Replaces "fictitious" with "fabricated", emphasizing the artificial and constructed nature of the dates.

false dates

Uses "false" instead of "fictitious", highlighting the inaccuracy and untruthfulness of the dates.

made-up dates

Employs a more informal term, "made-up", to convey the invented nature of the dates.

invented dates

Substitutes "fictitious" with "invented", stressing the creative aspect of the dates' fabrication.

artificial dates

Replaces "fictitious" with "artificial", pointing out the non-genuine and constructed quality of the dates.

unreal dates

Uses "unreal" to describe dates that do not exist in reality, offering a simpler alternative.

imaginary dates

Replaces "fictitious" with "imaginary", emphasizing the conceptual and non-physical nature of the dates.

notional dates

Employs "notional" to suggest dates that are theoretical or hypothetical rather than factual.

sham dates

Uses "sham" to indicate dates that are deceptive and intended to mislead.

counterfeit dates

Substitutes "fictitious" with "counterfeit", stressing the fraudulent and imitative character of the dates.

FAQs

How can I use "fictitious dates" in a sentence?

You can use "fictitious dates" to indicate that the dates are not real or have been made up. For example, "To protect patient privacy, the study used "fictitious dates" in the medical records."

What are some alternatives to "fictitious dates"?

Alternatives to "fictitious dates" include "false dates", "made up dates", or "invented dates" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "fictitious dates" in academic research?

It can be acceptable to use "fictitious dates" in academic research, but it's crucial to clearly indicate that the dates are not real and to explain why they are being used. This ensures transparency and avoids misleading interpretations.

What is the difference between "fictitious dates" and "approximate dates"?

"Fictitious dates" are entirely fabricated, while "approximate dates" are estimations or educated guesses of real dates. If you are unsure of an exact date, it is better to use "approximate dates" and explicitly state they are not precise.