from an early date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from an early date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been true or relevant since a specific point in time in the past. Example: "The tradition of celebrating this festival has been observed from an early date, reflecting the community's rich history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

From an early date, they were on the move westward.

The New York Times - Arts

Take this snippet from an early date with the woman who will become his partner.

The New Yorker

Fortune had good color from an early date, when color was still very difficult to print.

The New York Times - Arts

But there was so much else; it was all in you from an early date.

Independent

From an early date, Muslims knew that there were certain differences among the peoples of the House of War.

The New Yorker

Since the aboriginal peoples of this region were not easily collected and controlled, slaves were imported from an early date.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Another tiny skeleton, no bigger than a celebrity's handbag dog, was one of a handful ever found in Europe from such an early date: the evidence suggests it lived for up to three years, and was then laid curled as if asleep into the foundations of a house.

The Guardian

The data was collected from such an early date because this is when the initial announcement of the hashtag was made and promotion of the event began, however the vast majority of tweets were sent during the 24-hour window of the competition itself.

F1000Research

"By showing us how alert and alive Scotland was to literary and intellectual influences from Europe at such an early date, the University of Glasgow's Boethius manuscript is a hugely exciting find not only for scholars of medieval Scotland, but for anyone interested in understanding the roots of Scotland's literary and intellectual culture".

The Guardian

As it turns out, the skull of the philosopher was separated mysteriously, at an early date, from the rest of his bones.

The New York Times - Books

She shows, for example, stone tools carved in Arctic Canada that were discovered in Vermont, and evidence that chocolate, along with tropical birds, traveled at an early date from Mesoamerica to New Mexico.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from an early date" to emphasize that something has been the case for a significant period since its origin or initial appearance. It's useful for highlighting long-standing traditions or practices.

Common error

Avoid using "from an early date" when you simply want to indicate something happened 'early on'. The phrase suggests continuity and prolonged existence, so it's not suitable for isolated or short-lived events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from an early date" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something began or originated. As Ludwig highlights, it emphasizes a time close to the beginning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from an early date" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that something has been true or relevant since a specific point in time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in encyclopedic and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure you intend to emphasize continuity and prolonged existence, rather than a short-lived event. Consider alternatives such as "since its inception" or "early on" if continuity isn't the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the beginning

Emphasizes the initial stage or outset of an event or period.

from the outset

Highlights the very first point or stage.

since the beginning

Very similar to "from the beginning", but with a slightly different emphasis on the duration.

early on

Shorter and more informal way of indicating something happened in the initial stages.

since its inception

Focuses on the starting point or beginning of something.

since its early days

Highlights the time frame of the initial period.

in its early stages

Focuses on the phase of development or formation.

at an early stage

Very close to "in its early stages" but emphasizes a moment in time.

from its origins

Highlights the beginning or ancestry of something.

in its infancy

Implies the very beginning when something is new and undeveloped.

FAQs

What does "from an early date" mean?

The phrase "from an early date" means that something has been the case or has been happening since a time close to the beginning of something or a long time ago.

How can I use "from an early date" in a sentence?

You can use "from an early date" to indicate the origin or long-standing presence of a tradition, practice, or characteristic. For example, "The tradition of celebrating this festival has been observed "from an early date", reflecting the community's rich history."

What are some alternatives to "from an early date"?

You can use alternatives like "since its inception", "from the beginning", or "early on" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "from an early date" or "at an early stage"?

"From an early date" emphasizes that something has continued since its origin, whereas "at an early stage" simply indicates a point in time during the initial phase. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight continuity or just an initial occurrence.