letter dated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letter dated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the date specified in a written letter. For example, "The letter dated October 15, 2020 contained some urgent news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One letter dated 1868.

Cornell University

"Was the letter dated?" he asked.

The New Yorker

It's a letter dated Dec. 19, 2000.

The New York Times

Excerpt of letter dated October 29, 2911.

Harvard University

The answer came in a letter dated Aug. 30, 1889.

The New York Times

He returned with a letter dated Oct. 2, 1940.

The New York Times

The letter, dated Friday, was obtained by The Associated Press.

The New York Times

A letter dated Nov. 9, 1793, from a Maj.

The New York Times - Science

It was in a letter dated Thursday, not on Monday.

The New York Times

The letter, dated Dec. 12, opened: "Dear Custodial Services Customer".

The New York Times

The S.E.C. disagreed in a letter dated Jan . 21

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific letter, always include the full date (month, day, and year) to avoid ambiguity. For example, use "letter dated July 31, 2025" rather than just "letter dated July".

Common error

Avoid omitting the year when specifying the date of a "letter dated". Without the year, it can be difficult to determine which letter is being referenced, especially in contexts where multiple letters from the same month and day exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letter dated" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (usually "letter"). It specifies the time frame to which a document relates. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its function as a temporal marker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "letter dated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily as an adjective phrase specifying the date of a letter, with applications spanning various contexts such as news, academia, and formal correspondence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its widespread usage and relevance in clarifying timelines. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to specify the full date (month, day, and year) to avoid ambiguity. When looking for alternative expressions, consider options like "missive dated" or "document dated", but the original phrasing remains a standard and reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missive dated

Replaces "letter" with the more formal "missive", maintaining the same meaning.

document dated

Replaces 'letter' with the more generic 'document'.

correspondence of

Emphasizes the act of corresponding, replacing "letter" and rephrasing the date.

note dated

Substitutes "letter" with "note", implying a less formal communication.

official letter of

Adds 'official' to emphasize the formality of the letter.

message of

Uses 'message' to replace 'letter', implying a broader range of communication methods.

memorandum of

Uses "memorandum" instead of "letter", suggesting an internal communication.

dispatch of

Replaces "letter" with "dispatch", indicating an official or urgent communication.

report from

Emphasizes the informative aspect, changing "letter" to "report" and rephrasing the date.

communication of

Uses a broader term, "communication", to replace "letter".

FAQs

How do I use "letter dated" in a sentence?

Use "letter dated" to specify the date of a letter. For example, "The "letter dated" December 12, 2024 contained important information about the upcoming merger."

What can I say instead of "letter dated"?

You can use alternatives like "missive dated", "correspondence of", or "document dated", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "letter dated" or "dated letter"?

"Letter dated" is generally preferred when you want to emphasize the action of dating the letter. "Dated letter" is also correct, but it places more emphasis on the letter itself being dated.

What's the difference between "letter dated" and "official letter of"?

"Letter dated" simply specifies the date of a letter. Adding "official" before the letter emphasizes that the letter is a formal communication from an authority or institution. See also: "official letter of".