first of these two dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first of these two dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the earlier of two specific dates in a discussion or explanation. Example: "The first of these two dates is significant because it marks the beginning of the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the first of these, two dates suffice: August 6th and 9th, 1945.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Where the GP and hospital dates differed for these paired episodes, the first of the two dates was taken.

BMJ Open

Both groups of patients were required to have two BMI measures 12 15 months apart, and their baseline date was the first of these two measures.

Advances in Therapy

Sunday's show is the first of three dates at Giants Stadium for Mr. Springsteen during his "Magic" tour with the E Street Band.

The New York Times

It's the first of three dates in an increasingly rare Texas run for the part-time Austin band that has transcended the local scene with its spiky, economical new wave to achieve that rare blend of critical appreciation and mass appeal.

The New York Times

After her live performances on Good Morning America on December 2, 2008, Spears officially announced a first leg of twenty-five dates in the US and two dates in the UK, with the tour launching on March 3, 2009, in New Orleans.

Wikipedia

The Disney Channel child star turned hip-hop provocateur was kicking off the first of two Southland dates on her recently launched North American tour.

Los Angeles Times

The most recent economic recovery is the first of the past ten, dating back to 1949, during which the average income of the top 1percentt has increased while that of the bottom 99percentt has decreased.

Huffington Post

First, on each of five dates between September and April, we harvested 6 or 12 first-year seedlings and separated them into needles, stems, and buds.

BMC Genomics

There's a Robbie Williamixlike mix of ages at this, the first of four consecutive dates in London.

The Guardian - Music

For a group who've already shifted 4m albums, this is a relatively intimate show, the first of three UK dates to launch the Script's pre-hashtagged third album #3.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting two dates, use "the first of these two dates" to clearly indicate which date you are referring to, especially when chronological order is important.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows which of the two dates is "the first". Always clearly specify both dates beforehand to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first of these two dates" serves as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying the earlier or previously mentioned date from a pair. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts like clinical episodes, tour schedules, and historical events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first of these two dates" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to clearly specify the earlier or previously mentioned date when comparing two dates. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and wide acceptance. It's versatile enough for use in news articles, scientific papers, and general writing. For alternative phrasing, consider using "the earlier of the two dates" or "the former date" for similar clarity. Ensure you've clearly introduced both dates to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its grammatical function, purpose, and common contexts, you can use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier of the two dates

Replaces "first" with "earlier", focusing on the temporal aspect.

initial of the two dates

Substitutes "first" with "initial", emphasizing the starting point.

first date of the pair

Rephrases "these two dates" as "the pair", offering a more concise alternative.

first mentioned date

Focuses on the order in which the dates were presented.

date that comes first

Uses a relative clause to define the date based on its position.

the former date

Employs "the former" to refer to the first of the two dates previously mentioned.

the first date in question

Adds "in question" to specify that the date is under consideration.

the prior date

Replaces "first" with "prior", indicating the date that precedes the other.

the date at the beginning

Uses "at the beginning" to highlight the date's position in a sequence.

the starting date

Substitutes "first" with "starting", emphasizing the commencement of a period.

FAQs

How can I use "first of these two dates" in a sentence?

Use "first of these two dates" to specify the earlier or initially mentioned date when comparing two specific dates. For example, "The project has two deadlines: June 1st and July 15th. The "first of these two dates" is the deliverable deadline."

What is an alternative to saying "first of these two dates"?

Alternatives include "the earlier of the two dates", "the initial date", or "the "former date"", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "first of these two dates"?

It's appropriate when you need to clearly differentiate between two specific dates you've already mentioned, especially when chronological order is important for understanding the context.

Is "first of the two dates" grammatically correct?

Yes, "first of the two dates" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, the inclusion of "these" can enhance clarity by explicitly referencing a previously mentioned set of dates.