look at the dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look at the dates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to pay attention to specific dates, often in the context of scheduling or referencing events. Example: "Before finalizing the meeting, please look at the dates to ensure everyone is available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Look at the dates," Brynjolfsson said.

The New Yorker

Now, go back and look at the dates again.

The New York Times

"I was so excited about booking a trip to Las Vegas that I didn't look at the dates, but once I did I was a little hesitant," said Ms. Phipps, who already uses her fiancé's last name.

The New York Times

"Look at the dates: 7-03, 7-03, 7-03, 7-03, 7-03," he said, running his finger down the list of those killed in an ambush one day in the summer of 1966.

The New York Times

Jep has his moments, too, taking up with a middle-aged stripper, Ramona (Sabrina Ferilli), but look at the dates they go on: roaming at night through a private palazzo, inspecting statues and paintings by lamplight; or attending a fashionable funeral, for which he helps Ramona choose a black dress.

The New Yorker

If you look at the dates of the promissory notes involved, they go as far back as 1998 and as recently as August 2008, just before Wall Street imploded.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"I tell them, 'Look at the date,' " he said.

The New York Times

You have to look at the date to see that this is not a forgery.

The New York Times - Arts

"Look at the date," Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington and a member of the Budget Committee, said on Wednesday.

The New York Times

–What current events does this song bring to mind, and why? –Look at the date of this song's release.

The New York Times

"People that did the shopping, they would look at the date and be freaked out at how long it would be good for," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or analyzing historical trends, double-check dates using multiple sources to ensure accuracy. This avoids misunderstandings and errors.

Common error

Avoid assuming the significance of a date without understanding its context. Dates alone provide limited information; consider the surrounding events and circumstances to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look at the dates" functions primarily as an imperative, directing someone to examine or consider specific dates. This directive serves to draw attention to the temporal aspect of a situation, often to facilitate understanding or decision-making. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look at the dates" is a direct and neutrally toned imperative, commonly used to prompt someone to examine or consider specific dates for context or verification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of settings, including news articles, instructions, and general discussions. While alternatives like "examine the dates" or "review the dates" can provide a more formal tone, the core purpose remains consistent: to draw attention to the temporal aspect of a situation. A best practice involves always double-checking dates with multiple sources to ensure accuracy, while a common error is assuming significance without fully understanding the surrounding context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine the dates

Replacing 'look at' with 'examine' adds a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing a detailed inspection.

check the dates

Substituting 'look at' with 'check' creates a more casual and simple instruction to verify the dates.

review the dates

Using 'review' in place of 'look at' suggests a more thorough and thoughtful consideration of the dates.

consider the dates

Replacing 'look at' with 'consider' implies a deeper evaluation of the dates in relation to something else.

note the dates

Substituting 'look at' with 'note' focuses on registering or acknowledging the dates for reference.

observe the dates

Replacing 'look at' with 'observe' creates a slightly more formal tone, implying a careful and attentive viewing of the dates.

take note of the dates

This alternative emphasizes the importance of remembering or recording the dates.

pay attention to the dates

This alternative highlights the need to give the dates your full focus and consideration.

be mindful of the dates

This alternative suggests keeping the dates in your awareness and being conscious of their relevance.

take into account the dates

This alternative indicates that the dates should be factored into a decision or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "look at the dates" in a sentence?

You can use "look at the dates" to prompt someone to examine specific dates for context or verification. For example, "Look at the dates on the contract before signing it."

What is a more formal alternative to "look at the dates"?

Formal alternatives include "examine the dates" or "review the dates", which suggest a more thorough investigation.

Is "look at the dates" grammatically correct?

Yes, according to Ludwig AI, "look at the dates" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

What does it mean to "look at the dates" in a financial context?

In finance, to "look at the dates" often means to examine the timing of transactions, payments, or financial reports to identify trends or discrepancies.