specify a date for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specify a date for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need someone to provide a specific date for an event, deadline, or appointment. Example: "Please specify a date for the meeting so we can finalize the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He did not specify a date for either event.

The New York Times - Sports

The elder Agnelli did not specify a date for the change.

The New York Times

You can optionally specify a date for the new master key to become active; by default, it will become active immediately.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The legislation, which aims to realise the commitments set out in Lord Carter's Digital Britain White Paper published in June 2009, has failed to specify a date for FM radio stations to be upgraded to DAB.

The Telegraph

But the town clerk, Joan B. Johnson, ruled on Oct. 3 that the petitions were all invalid because they did not specify a date for the referendum, nor did they say that the referendum would be held at a special or biennial election.

The New York Times

The agreement includes a commitment to update pledges and make them more progressive, but the text is vague on the overall ambition: it does not specify a date for the peaking of emissions, and specifies only that reductions should lead towards "greenhouse gas emissions neutrality" in the "second half of the century".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Zoroaster never specified a date for the world's end.

The New York Times - Arts

If the revocation specifies a date for revocation which is on or after the day on which the revocation is made, the revocation shall be effective for taxable years beginning on and after the date so specified.

Cornell University

Tawfiq Tirawi, the chief of the Palestinian committee overseeing the inquiry, issued a statement on Monday announcing that the mausoleum was closed to visitors, without specifying a date for the exhumation.

The New York Times

Stewart hasn't yet specified a date for his final show and Comedy Central is reportedly mulling a short list of possible replacements.

Los Angeles Times

Zakheim said Romney was serious about the goal but hasn't specified a date for reaching it — and as a result, no specific spending forecast is possible.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specify a date for", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or action the date refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing enough context.

Common error

Avoid using "specify a date for" without clearly indicating what event or task the date is associated with. Always provide sufficient context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specify a date for" functions as a directive or request, prompting the provision of a specific date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It often appears in contexts where clarity and precision are required regarding timing, examples are from academic and news related resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "specify a date for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for requesting or indicating a precise date for an event or deadline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts but particularly useful in professional and academic settings where clarity is essential. While alternatives like ""indicate a date for"" or ""set a date for"" exist, "specify a date for" maintains a tone of precision and directness. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide sufficient context to avoid any vagueness regarding what the date pertains to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate a date for

Replaces "specify" with a more general term, focusing on pointing out a date rather than giving precise instructions.

set a date for

Emphasizes the act of establishing a date, suitable for events or deadlines.

determine a date for

Highlights the process of figuring out the right date.

designate a date for

Implies a formal or official assignment of a date.

nominate a date for

Suggests proposing a date for consideration.

schedule a date for

Focuses on placing an event on a calendar.

stipulate a date for

Indicates a formal demand to include a date.

fix a date for

Implies finalizing or securing a date.

provide a deadline

Shifts focus from general date setting to the context of providing a specific deadline.

establish a timeframe

Broadens the scope from a single date to a more flexible range of time.

FAQs

How to use "specify a date for" in a sentence?

You can use "specify a date for" when you need to indicate or request that someone provides a particular date for an event, deadline, or action. For example, "Please specify a date for the meeting" or "The contract requires you to "specify a date for" completion".

What can I say instead of "specify a date for"?

Alternatives to "specify a date for" include "indicate a date for", "set a date for", or "determine a date for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "specify a date for" and "set a date for"?

"Specify a date for" emphasizes the act of providing a precise date, while "set a date for" focuses more on establishing or arranging a date. They are often interchangeable, but "specify" implies precision, while "set" implies arrangement.

Is it more formal to use "specify a date for" or "set a date for"?

"Specify a date for" is slightly more formal than "set a date for", although both are acceptable in professional and academic contexts. "Specify" suggests a more precise or official requirement.