firm date

USAGE SUMMARY

"firm date" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a specific and definite date, as opposed to an estimated or tentative date. You can use "firm date" when you want to emphasize the exactness or certainty of a particular date. For example: - "Please provide a firm date for when the project will be completed." - "After much discussion, we have finally set a firm date for the company retreat." - "The conference has been postponed until after a firm date can be confirmed for the speaker's availability." - "I need to know the firm date for the event so I can make travel arrangements." In each of these examples, "firm date" is used to convey that the date in question is definite and will not change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No firm date was set.

The New York Times

"It's not a firm date in April.

The New York Times

The declaration does not set a firm date.

The New York Times

A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abdul Basit, said there was no firm date for reopening the border.

The New York Times

Mr. Vietor said no firm date had been set for Mr. Abbas's visit.

The New York Times

Judge Stephen said: "That is a firm date for both sides.

The New York Times

But now it has set a firm date for when the programme will commence.

The Economist

On September 22nd it will unveil a firm date for the election, long promised for December.

The Economist

The earliest firm date for a play written by Vega is 1593.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Asked when any decision might be announced, she said: "We don't have a firm date.

The New York Times

Although no firm date was announced, talks could reconvene in late February or March.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "firm date" when you need to emphasize that a date is not tentative and has been officially confirmed.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what the "firm date" applies to. For example, instead of saying "We have a firm date", specify "We have a firm date for the product launch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firm date" functions as a noun modifier, specifying the type of date being referred to. It indicates that the date is not tentative but definitively scheduled. As Ludwig shows, it frequently appears in contexts where scheduling and deadlines are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firm date" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that indicates a specific, confirmed date. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. It emphasizes certainty and clarity, differentiating it from tentative or estimated dates. While alternatives like ""confirmed date"" or ""set date"" exist, "firm date" effectively conveys the intended meaning. Using "firm date" helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clear communication about deadlines and scheduled events. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility and consistent usage across reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confirmed date

Focuses on the confirmation aspect of the date being set.

Set date

A more concise and direct way of saying a date has been scheduled.

Scheduled date

Highlights that the date is part of a schedule.

Fixed date

Emphasizes the immutability of the date.

Established date

Highlights that the date has been formally established.

Definite date

Focuses on the certainty of the date.

Agreed-upon date

Highlights the aspect of mutual agreement on the date.

Specified date

Emphasizes the date is precisely specified.

Determined date

Indicates the date has been officially determined.

Designated date

Highlights that the date has been formally designated.

FAQs

What does "firm date" mean?

A "firm date" refers to a specific date that is confirmed and not subject to change. It indicates a definite point in time for an event, deadline, or commitment.

How to use "firm date" in a sentence?

You can use "firm date" to indicate when something is scheduled to happen, for example, "We need to set a "set date" for the meeting" or "The project has a "fixed date" for completion".

What are some alternatives to "firm date"?

Alternatives to "firm date" include "confirmed date", "scheduled date", "fixed date", and "definite date". These all convey the idea of a date that is certain and established.

Is it correct to say "unfirm date"?

While understandable, "unfirm date" is not standard English. It's better to use terms like "tentative date", "provisional date", or "estimated date" to indicate that a date is not yet confirmed.