several dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple specific days or occasions, often in contexts like scheduling or planning events. Example: "We need to choose several dates for the upcoming meetings to accommodate everyone's schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After several dates, he asked her to marry him.

The New Yorker

Dates: Several dates starting Aug. 29 to Oct. 10. 6.

The New York Times - Travel

Ved had several dates with Barbara He discovered that she was 27, 10 years his senior.

The New Yorker

And in New York, she has been asked out on several dates.

The New York Times

"Although I invited them, offering several dates, they did not accept".

The Guardian

Changing the date of a flight (or several dates at the same time) costs $40.

The New York Times - Travel

Several dates on their summer/autumn US arena tour have already sold out.

The Guardian - Music

Several dates on that tour in 2007 and 2008 were also rescheduled.

The New York Times

After several dates they began writing their poem together through e-mail exchanges.

The New York Times

Chinese fighter jets intercepted American patrols 44 times in recent months, Mr. Rumsfeld said, citing several dates this year.

The New York Times

Nowadays such is the audience for the genre that top US jazz acts often play several dates in the country.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or planning activities, use "several dates" to indicate that there are multiple options or occurrences. For example: "We have several dates available for the conference in October."

Common error

Avoid using "several dates" when you need to specify a precise date range. "Several dates" indicates multiple, possibly non-consecutive, days, while a date range (e.g., "from June 1st to June 5th") indicates a continuous period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several dates" functions as a determiner followed by a plural noun. It modifies a noun to indicate that there is more than one date involved. This function is evident in Ludwig examples where it's used to specify availability or scheduling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several dates" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively indicates multiple occurrences of dates. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to denote the availability of options in scheduling or planning and appears across a broad spectrum of sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use this phrase accurately, avoiding confusion with precise date ranges. Consider alternatives like "multiple dates" or "various dates" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple dates

Direct synonym, emphasizes the existence of more than one date.

various dates

Implies a selection from a range of dates.

a number of dates

Similar to "several dates", but slightly more formal.

numerous dates

Highlights a large quantity of dates.

many dates

A more general way to say there is a large amount of dates.

different dates

Emphasizes the dates are not the same.

certain dates

Highlights that specific dates have been selected or are relevant.

several scheduled times

Focuses on the planned aspect of the dates.

selected dates

Emphasis is on the dates being chosen from a larger set of options.

a few dates

Indicates a smaller, less precise number of dates.

FAQs

How do I use "several dates" in a sentence?

Use "several dates" to indicate multiple, non-specific days or times. For example, "The band has "several dates" booked for their summer tour".

What can I say instead of "several dates"?

You can use alternatives like "multiple dates", "various dates", or "numerous dates", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a few dates" or "several dates"?

"A few dates" suggests a smaller number, while ""several dates"" indicates a larger, less precise number. The best choice depends on the quantity you want to convey.

When should I not use the phrase "several dates"?

Avoid using ""several dates"" if you are referring to a continuous range of time. In that case, use a phrase like "a few days" or specify the date range directly.