on the date in question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the date in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific date that has been previously mentioned or is relevant to the context of the discussion. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for on the date in question, which was March 15th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

During the trial, BP claimed no toxic substance was released at the refinery on the date in question.

The New York Times

Only a handful of such unmarked cars would have been in use on the date in question, the police said.

The New York Times

Norwich did not have a match on the date in question, which saw a selection of FA Cup fifth-round games played along with Football League fixtures.

The Guardian - Sport

On the date in question, Johnson learned that the bodies of three murdered civil-rights workers had been discovered in Mississippi; a few hours later, he responded belligerently to the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

The New Yorker

A series of provocative social media posts contemporaneously uploaded by Argento confirm the pair spent time in a Marina del Rey hotel on the date in question.

Vice

A later investigation by the Federal Crisis Inquiry Commission, in fact, showed that Morgan Stanley had $99 billion of liquidity on the date in question.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Rather, he refers to other dates that he knows solidly, close to the date in question.

The New York Times

The logjam was unusual for a Friday, but the date in question is this Friday — 08/08/08.

The New York Times

Her mother Cindy stunned court watchers last month when testifying that she was the one who had been at the home computer on the dates in question searching for chloroform.

Huffington Post

Johnson said: "At no point have we ever discussed an EDL demonstration on the dates in question and I have no knowledge of his alleged plans".

The Guardian

But he added: "At no point have we ever discussed an EDL demonstration on the dates in question and I have no knowledge of his alleged plans".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the date in question" when you need to clearly refer back to a specific date that has already been mentioned, avoiding ambiguity. It is best suited for formal writing or when precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "on the date in question" in casual conversations or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "that day" or "on that date" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the date in question" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying a particular time. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the date in question" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to refer to a specific date that is relevant within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for formal and neutral writing, it should be used sparingly in informal contexts. Alternatives such as "on that specific date" or "on the relevant date" can be used to achieve a similar meaning. It is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific publications, emphasizing its role in precise and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that specific date

Replaces "in question" with "specific", emphasizing particularity.

on the relevant date

Substitutes "in question" with "relevant", highlighting the date's importance to the context.

on the particular date

Uses "particular" instead of "in question", emphasizing a specific instance.

on the aforementioned date

Uses "aforementioned" instead of "in question", suitable when the date has been previously stated.

on the given date

Replaces "in question" with "given", implying the date is already known or provided.

on the date under consideration

Replaces "in question" with "under consideration", indicating the date is being actively discussed or evaluated.

on the date at issue

Substitutes "in question" with "at issue", suggesting the date is a point of contention or importance.

on the subject date

Uses "subject" to indicate the date being discussed.

on said date

A more formal and concise way of referring to the date, typically used in legal or official contexts.

on the incident date

Uses "incident" to refer to the date of an event or occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "on the date in question" in a sentence?

You can use "on the date in question" to refer to a specific date that has already been mentioned or is relevant to the context, as in "The incident occurred "on the date in question", which was July 15th".

What are some alternatives to "on the date in question"?

Alternatives include "on that specific date", "on the relevant date", or "on the aforementioned date" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "on the date in question" or "on that day"?

"On the date in question" is more formal and precise, suitable for legal or official documents. "On that day" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation or less formal writing.

What's the difference between "on the date in question" and "at that time"?

"On the date in question" refers specifically to a particular date, while "at that time" refers to a broader period or moment, not necessarily tied to a specific date.