having a date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having a date" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe an outing or event with either a romantic interest or a close friend. For example: "I'm having a date with my best friend this Thursday" or "My wife and I are having a date night this Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

I've gone years without seeing someone or having a date.

The New York Times

It's like not having a date for the prom.

The New York Times

It's nice, almost like having a date," she wrote.

The Guardian - Books

"The value of having a date with your husband is huge," she said.

The New York Times - Style

It's almost as bad as not having a date on Valentine's Day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the first episode of "The Drew Carey Show," none of the central characters comes close to having a date.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Mac had a date.

The New York Times

I had a date.

The New York Times

Now they had a date.

The New Yorker

We had a date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She failed, but they had a date.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having a date" to describe a planned social engagement, especially in contexts relating to personal relationships and social events. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a romantic or platonic engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "having a date" in highly formal or professional settings where more precise language is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "scheduled meeting" or "planned engagement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a date" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the action of participating in a pre-arranged social or romantic engagement. It reflects Ludwig AI's observation that it describes an outing or event with a romantic interest or close friend.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having a date" is a versatile phrase, deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, widely used to indicate participation in a planned social or romantic engagement. Its register leans towards neutral to informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations and news articles. While less frequent in formal business and academic contexts, its meaning is clear and widely understood. Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns reveals its common presence in news and media, alongside emerging trends in wikis, reflecting its widespread relevance in contemporary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going on a date

Focuses on the action of participating in a date.

scheduled a date

Highlights the act of arranging a date.

planning a date

Emphasizes the preparation involved in organizing a date.

going out with someone

A more general term for dating someone.

seeing someone romantically

Focuses on the romantic aspect of dating.

dating someone

Indicates a more ongoing relationship involving dates.

meeting for a date

Highlights the act of meeting someone for a date.

attending a date

Emphasizes the action of going to a date.

having a romantic engagement

Formal term to indicate a date.

enjoying a date

Highlights the pleasurable experience of a date.

FAQs

How can I use "having a date" in a sentence?

You can use "having a date" to describe a planned social outing, especially with someone you're romantically interested in. For example, "I'm really looking forward to having a date this weekend."

What are some alternatives to "having a date"?

Alternatives include "going on a date", "dating someone", or "seeing someone", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "having a date" in formal writing?

While "having a date" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "scheduled meeting" or "planned engagement".

What does "having a date night" specifically imply?

"Having a date night" typically implies a scheduled evening dedicated to spending quality time with a romantic partner, often involving activities like dinner, movies, or other shared experiences.