observing the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observing the date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of paying attention to or noting a specific date, often in contexts like scheduling or reminders. Example: "While planning the event, I made sure to be observing the date to avoid any conflicts with other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While many in the United States are commemorating, memorializing, and pondering the fifty-year mark of John F. Kennedy's assassination, another way of observing the date has been overshadowed.

Huffington Post

Observing the date and location of occurrence for each identical protein sequence above, we find that the earliest H7N9 avian influenza virus comes from America, spreading to Europe and finally arriving in Asia.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The New York Board of Education, after consulting child psychologists, is advising principals to observe the date in the most unobtrusive way possible.

The New York Times

Since "Ulysses" takes place on June 16, 1904, similar gatherings happened all across Joyce's "Hibernian metropolis" as this city observed the date's centenary with a mammoth festival that organizers said attracted tens of thousands of people.

The New York Times - Books

From Public School 234, which was in the shadow of the World Trade Center and observed the date by singing "This Land Is Your Land," to Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, where students planted 3,000 daffodils in front of the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School, educators marked the day in different ways or chose not to mark it at all.

The New York Times

A raft of dignitaries observed the date with a ribbon cutting at Mount Sinai Medical Center on the Upper East Side, which will continue treating rescue and recovery workers, while the city's Health and Hospitals Corporation will continue to treat residents and other civilians and the Fire Department will continue to treat its members.

The New York Times

14 Unfortunately, we do not observe the date of beginning and ending of each unemployment spell and the reason for dismissal.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

For a given line item, we observe the date for which the procedure was billed, the three-digit zip code, and the amount that the insurance company reimbursed the service provider, known as the allowed amount, and any modifier codes.11.11

Health Economics Review

When you're an old writer, you observe the death dates of your favorite writers and you reflect on their works and their lives.

The New York Times - Books

Here, we continuously observed the bloom date and defoliation date of seven peach varieties from 1983 to 2012.

Scientia Horticulturae

Amin created the blog in 2009 after moving to the US from Gujarat, India and observing the pressures of dating someone with a contrasting religion.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “observing the date” to mark events or milestones, emphasizing both acknowledgement and recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "observing the date" when simply referring to a date on a calendar. This phrase implies a specific action or commemoration, not passive awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observing the date" functions as a verb phrase acting as a description of an action. It describes the act of acknowledging and potentially commemorating a specific date. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "observing the date" is grammatically correct and used to describe the act of acknowledging and often commemorating a specific date. Ludwig's analysis highlights that it's more than just knowing the date; it involves active recognition through specific actions or events. While Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, it appears with varying frequency across contexts, being more common in Science and News & Media. When using "observing the date", it is crucial to understand its connotation, implying active commemoration rather than passive awareness. Alternatives include "noting the date", "commemorating the date", and "marking the date", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noting the date

Focuses on the act of making a mental or written note of the date.

taking note of the date

Combines the ideas of noticing and remembering the date.

commemorating the date

Emphasizes remembering and honoring the date, often with a special event.

marking the date

Highlights the act of acknowledging or celebrating the date in some way.

acknowledging the date

Focuses on recognizing the importance or significance of the date.

remembering the date

Emphasizes the act of recalling the date from memory.

keeping the date

Highlights maintaining adherence to the date, as in a commitment or appointment.

respecting the date

Implies honoring the date due to its cultural or historical significance.

being mindful of the date

Highlights the act of consciously considering the date and its implications.

adhering to the date

Emphasizes following a schedule or plan related to the date.

FAQs

What does "observing the date" mean?

"Observing the date" means acknowledging and often commemorating a specific date, often with planned activities or reflections. It's more than just being aware of the date; it involves actively recognizing its significance.

How can I use "observing the date" in a sentence?

You can use "observing the date" to describe actions taken to remember an event. For example: "The school is "commemorating the date" with a memorial service."

What are some alternatives to "observing the date"?

Alternatives include "noting the date", "commemorating the date", or "marking the date", depending on the specific context and the type of acknowledgement.

When is it appropriate to use "observing the date" instead of "remembering the date"?

"Observing the date" is more appropriate when there is a deliberate act of recognition or commemoration involved. "Remembering the date" is a more general term that simply implies recalling the date in one's mind, whereas "observing the date" usually involves actions or events.