on the date on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the date on which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific date in the past or future. For example: "The competition will take place on the date on which the team will qualify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The program is based in part on the date on which a company signs or renews a lease in Lower Manhattan.

The New York Times

During the past four years, each of these interconnected dramas has opened at the Public on the date on which it was set (on Election Days in 2010 and 2012, and on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks).

The New York Times

The gathering was composed mainly of actual Dubliners, and it was lovely to hear the story being read aloud in the voices of the city it celebrates, on the date on which it is set January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany.

The New Yorker

The gathering was composed mainly of actual Dubliners, and it was lovely to hear the story being read aloud in the voices of the city it celebrates, on the date on which it is set — January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany.

The New Yorker

Answer: You can always purchase a ticket and change the dates of travel, but the fare may change (either up or down) for travel on the date on which you decide to fly, and in most cases the cheapest fares will also require a change fee ($150 on a domestic fare on most U.S.-based airlines, $250 on international) if you change dates.

Los Angeles Times

This is important because, under British Law, unless there is any provision to the contrary, an act takes effect on the date on which it receives Royal Assent and that date is not regarded as being the date when the letters patent are signed, or when they are delivered to the presiding officers of each house, but the date on which both houses have been formally acquainted of the assent.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

RFS was calculated from the initiation of treatment to the date on which relapse was first documented or on which death without documented relapse occurred.

Cancer

Search dates were restricted to the date on which the review was updated.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Go to the date on which your event is and click on it.

WikiHow

No word of the dates on which strikes occurred".

The Guardian - Opinion

Records of the dates on which major quakes rocked China date to 780 bce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the date on which", ensure that the context clearly establishes what date is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. If possible, replace it with more direct alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "on the date on which" in informal contexts; it can sound unnecessarily stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "on that day" or "when" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the date on which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies a particular point in time. As shown by Ludwig, it often appears in formal contexts to indicate when an event occurred or is scheduled to occur.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the date on which" is a formal phrase used to specify a particular point in time. While grammatically correct, as indicated by Ludwig, it's often perceived as verbose and can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "on that day" or "when", depending on the context. It appears most frequently in News & Media and scientific publications where precision is important. As Ludwig AI suggests, while acceptable, consider the tone and audience to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that specific date

This alternative is more direct and less verbose, omitting the relative clause structure.

on that very day

This alternative is an emphatic form stressing the importance of the particular day.

on the aforementioned date

This alternative replaces the relative clause with an adjective indicating a previously mentioned date.

that specific day

This is a concise version that removes the preposition and relative pronoun.

upon the arrival of that date

This alternative offers a more formal tone, emphasizing the arrival or occurrence of the specified date.

the day in question

This alternative implies a date that is under discussion or has been previously mentioned.

when that date arrives

This version simplifies the structure, using a conjunction to indicate the time.

the appointed day

This alternative suggests a date that has been officially scheduled or designated.

on which that day occurs

This alternative emphasizes the occurrence or existence of a particular day.

at that particular time

This alternative shifts the focus from a specific date to a general time, broadening the context slightly.

FAQs

What does "on the date on which" mean?

The phrase "on the date on which" refers to a specific point in time or day when something happened or will happen. It's a formal way of saying "on that day" or "when".

Is "on the date on which" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, it is. In most casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "on that specific date" or just "when" are more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "on the date on which" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use "on the aforementioned date" or "upon the arrival of that date" for a similar effect, but be mindful of overusing such formal phrasing.

How can I make my writing sound less verbose than using "on the date on which"?

Try using shorter alternatives like "on that very day", "that specific day" or simplifying the sentence structure entirely to avoid the need for the phrase.