on a specific date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a specific date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single, specific day and time in the future. For example: "Please complete the report and submit it to my office on a specific date, August 15th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One is straightforward: a flight from here to there on a specific date.

Los Angeles Times

The money can be drawn on a specific date, up to 12 months.

The Guardian - Money

Would we need to do that here – launch a new architecture on a specific date?

MIT Technology Review

"People who believed the world was ending on a specific date, people who saw aliens".

The New York Times - Books

Full moons sometimes get in the pattern of appearing on a specific date every 19 years.

Independent

According to his paperwork, his daughter had been found on a specific date, as a newborn.

The New York Times

(d) If the employee desires that the agreement terminate on a specific date, the date of termination of the agreement.

Cornell University

We have asked that it also reimburses the bank charges as our booking reference didn't mention that the balance would be withdrawn on a specific date.

The Guardian - Money

SET THE TRIGGERS Many investors adjust their holdings once a year, on a specific date like June 30 or Dec. 31.

The New York Times

Travelcards can be bought separately, but start and expire on a specific date; an Oyster card, along with any credit balance, remains active for two years.

The New York Times - Travel

Once you redeem your Voucher and book a specific Masterclass on a specific date, it is not possible to change this date unless we agree to the change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or deadlines, always confirm the recipient understands that it will happen "on a specific date" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "on a specific date" when a precise date isn't actually provided. Instead, either state the date clearly or use a more general term like "soon" or "at a later time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a specific date" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing of an action or event. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts such as scheduling events, setting deadlines, or reporting past occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a specific date" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a precise point in time. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, remember to use it when you genuinely have a specific date to provide and aim to communicate with clarity, as using it when you don't have a specific date may be misleading. Consider context-aware synonyms like "on a designated day" or "on a particular day" for subtle variations in meaning. Overall, use "on a specific date" to emphasize that an event's timing is confirmed and unambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a particular day

Uses "particular" instead of "specific", suggesting a certain date chosen from many.

on a designated day

Replaces "specific" with "designated", implying a pre-arranged or officially assigned date.

at a given date

Indicates a date that is already known or has been previously established.

on a fixed date

Emphasizes the immutability of the date; it's set and unlikely to change.

on the appointed day

Suggests the date was formally agreed upon or pre-determined.

at a defined time

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time, not necessarily just a day.

at the stated time

Focuses on adherence to a previously declared or indicated time.

on the aforementioned date

Refers back to a date previously mentioned in the text or conversation.

on the day in question

Highlights a date that is under discussion or investigation.

on such and such a date

An informal way to refer to a specific date without explicitly stating it.

FAQs

How do you use "on a specific date" in a sentence?

You can use "on a specific date" to indicate when something will occur, such as, "The project is due "on a specific date" in July." The phrase emphasizes that the date is not flexible.

What's the difference between "on a specific date" and "on a certain date"?

While both phrases are similar, "on a specific date" implies more precision and less ambiguity than "on a certain date". The term "on a certain date" might suggest the date is known but not necessarily revealed.

What are some alternatives to using "on a specific date"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "on a designated day", "on a particular day", or "on a fixed date". Each subtly alters the nuance of the statement.

Is it redundant to say "on a specific date and time"?

While technically not redundant, it's often clearer to simply state "at a specific time" or "on [date] at [time]" if you need to specify both. Specifying "date and time" can enhance clarity.