have to date

USAGE SUMMARY

"have to date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to something that has happened up to the present time. For example, "We have to date recruited twenty new volunteers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some people say: "You have to date.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, their effects have, to date, been modest.

The Economist

Most of the Republican super-donors and super PACs have to date directed their favors elsewhere.

The New Yorker

"We need to demonstrate more than we have to date the quality of our brands.

The Guardian

Attempts to reach Kamall for comment have, to date, been unsuccessful.

The Guardian

The drones, known as Reapers, have to date fired 167 missiles and bombs in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Instead, he and his senior ministers have to date remained totally mute.

The Guardian

It is advancing into aspects of our lives that have to date been solely the preserve of humans.

The Guardian

Friedrich says animal welfare advocates have to date been largely focused on educating consumers about the harms of animal agriculture.

The Guardian

Some individual universities have to date met with student activists and agreed to look at their policies and practices.

The Guardian

Other investment firms operating monthly savings plans have to date not sent out letters of this type.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have to date" when you want to emphasize that something has been ongoing or accumulating up to the current moment. It is particularly useful in formal writing and reports where a sense of historical progression is important.

Common error

Avoid using "have to date" when you simply mean "previously" or "before". The phrase implies a continuous state or action leading up to the present, not just something that happened in the past without relevance to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have to date" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the time frame in which an action or state has occurred. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that something has happened or been true up to the present time, which aligns with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have to date" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate actions or states that have persisted up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed in both scientific and news contexts. While suitable for formal writing, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a continuous state rather than a simple past event. For alternatives, consider options like "so far" or "until now" based on your desired formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so far

Offers a shorter, more common way to express the same idea.

thus far

Replaces "have to date" with a more formal and slightly less common alternative.

up until now

Similar to "until now" but with a bit more emphasis on the duration.

until now

Replaces "have to date" with a simpler, more direct temporal marker.

up to the present

Substitutes "have to date" with a phrase that clearly indicates the time frame.

to this day

Emphasizes the continuation of something up to the current moment, differing slightly in nuance.

as of today

Specifies the present day as the cutoff point, adding a bit more precision.

since then

Uses a shorter and more conversational phrase to indicate the period after a specific event.

in the time since

Focuses on the period from a specific point in the past until now.

previously

Indicates something that happened before the present, but lacks the sense of continuity up to now.

FAQs

How can I use "have to date" in a sentence?

You can use "have to date" to describe something that has occurred or been true up to the present time. For instance, "No effective treatments "have to date" been developed for this disease".

What are some alternatives to using "have to date"?

Alternatives include "so far", "until now", or "up to the present". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is "have to date" formal or informal?

"Have to date" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "so far" or "until now". It's suitable for academic writing, reports, and professional communication.

What's the difference between "have to date" and "previously"?

"Have to date" implies a continuous state or action leading up to the present, while "previously" simply refers to something that happened in the past without necessarily having ongoing relevance. For example, "Previously, we used a different method" versus "No effective treatments "have to date" been developed".