save the dates

USAGE SUMMARY

"save the dates" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when inviting people to an event and asking them to save the specific date or dates in their schedule. Example: "Please save the dates of September 15-17 for our annual company retreat. We look forward to seeing you there!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mark your calendars and save the dates.

TechCrunch

So mark your calendars and save the dates.

TechCrunch

The site features holiday cards, wedding invitations, save the dates, birth announcements, business cards, and other personal stationery.

TechCrunch

Punchbowl's Digital Invitation Studio offers hundreds of stylish and modern invitations and save the dates, each with companion customizable envelopes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

TechCrunch

MyPunchbowl Digital Invitation Studio offers hundreds of stylish and modern invitations and save the dates, each with companion customizable envelopes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

TechCrunch

Founders Fund partner Bruce Gibney called it "intellectual exchange without the structural nightmare that's gone up around it" and INC magazine dubbed it, "The Most Exclusive Tech Conference Ever?" The elite group of fifty technologists were hand-selected by the Founders Fund partners and sent invites to save the dates between Friday May 11th and Sunday the 13th.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Send out save-the-date emails or cards with info and money-saving fixes.

BBC

I recently received two save-the-dates for weddings on the same day.

The New York Times

Save-the-dates went out over seven months ago, and invitations over two months ago.

The New York Times

A note to brides and bridegrooms: If you're having a small wedding, by all means send save-the-dates to everyone on your list.

The New York Times

While $45 for 100 cards covers traditional save-the-dates in thermograph and raised print at David's Bridal, the price range for music videos directed by Mr. Minnella runs from $600 to $1,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "save the dates" as a verb phrase, no hyphens are necessary.

Common error

Do not treat a "save the dates" notification as a complete invitation. Avoid omitting the venue or location entirely; even if a specific address is not ready, providing the city or region helps guests plan travel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "save the dates" functions as an imperative verb phrase or a plural noun phrase. In its imperative form, it instructs the recipient to reserve a specific timeframe. As a noun phrase, it refers to the physical or digital notifications themselves. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in social and professional invitations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "save the dates" is a versatile and essential phrase in modern English for event coordination. Whether you are planning a multi-day wedding or a corporate summit, the phrase serves as a crucial pre-invitation alert. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-tier publications like The New York Times, underscoring its acceptance as a standard linguistic tool. When using it, remember the distinction between the verb phrase and the hyphenated compound adjective for professional clarity. If you seek more formal variations, consider "reserve the dates" or "hold the dates" to suit your specific audience and event type.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark your calendars

Uses a more direct imperative that suggests a physical action by the recipient.

hold the dates

Commonly used in business and logistics to indicate a tentative schedule.

reserve the dates

Higher formality level, often used in professional or corporate environments.

keep the dates open

Similar to keeping them free but suggests avoiding other bookings.

keep the dates free

Emphasizes the availability of the guest rather than the action of saving the date.

save-the-date notifications

Uses the term as a compound modifier for a more descriptive noun phrase.

set aside these dates

Formal alternative that emphasizes the importance of the time slot.

block out the time

Focuses on the time commitment rather than the specific calendar entry.

announcing the dates

A declarative version that focuses on the information being provided.

pencil in the dates

Suggests a less formal or slightly more tentative notification.

FAQs

Is it "save the date" or "save the dates"?

Use "save the date" for a single-day event and "save the dates" for multi-day events like weekend weddings or conferences. If you prefer a different tone, you can say "mark your calendars" or "hold the dates".

Should "save the dates" be hyphenated?

It should be hyphenated only when it acts as an adjective modifying a noun, such as 'save-the-date cards'. When used as a verb phrase, such as "please save the dates", no hyphens are used.

What is a professional way to say "save the dates"?

In a corporate setting, you might use "reserve the dates" or "keep the dates free" to sound more formal.

Can I use "save the dates" in an email subject line?

Yes, it is a very common and effective subject line. For a slightly different approach, try "hold the dates" followed by the name of the event.