take a date

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a date" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written and spoken English.
It means to go on a romantic outing or social event with someone. Example: "He couldn't wait to take his date to the new restaurant in town." "I'm sorry, I can't join you for dinner tonight. I already have a date." "Are you free this weekend? I was wondering if you'd like to be my date to the wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

-- I'll take a date ambiguous.

The New York Times

They're considered a good place to take a date.

The Guardian

Take a date and affix it to a brass plaque.

The New Yorker

If they take a date, that'll be 34 million tickets.

The New York Times

I never take a date to a club.

The New York Times

"In high school, I'd take a date to the speedway to watch high-end racing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

She never takes a date that requires air travel.

The New York Times

Mr. Driscoll recently took a date out for margaritas, to a place that was supposedly cheap.

The New York Times

She's single and the wedding invitations she receives frequently say nothing about taking a date.

The New York Times

"The Crown Prince took a date, and it disappeared into his mouth," Sexton told me.

The New Yorker

"But who has a lot of space in New York?" He holds regular poker games with his friends and has even taken a date back to the camper.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When suggesting a date idea, follow "take a date" with a specific location or activity to provide clear expectations. For example, "Take a date to the museum" is more effective than just "Take a date."

Common error

While "take a date" is common, it can sound informal. In professional settings, consider alternatives like "invite a guest" or "host a client" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a date" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "take" is the main verb and "a date" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, consistently referring to inviting someone on a date.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a date" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe inviting someone on a romantic or social outing. Ludwig confirms its correctness and frequency. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for general communication. While widely accepted, consider using more formal alternatives like "invite a guest" in professional environments. Common errors are infrequent, but awareness of register is beneficial. Remember to follow "take a date" with a specific activity or place to ensure clarity and provide a good suggestion. Several alternatives, like "go on a date with someone" or "invite someone on a date", offer subtle variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on a date with someone

Focuses on the action of participating in a date, rather than the act of inviting or bringing someone.

have a date with someone

Focuses on the scheduled arrangement of the date itself.

invite someone on a date

Emphasizes the invitation aspect of asking someone to go on a date.

go out with someone

A more general term for spending time with someone, potentially romantically.

accompany someone on a date

Highlights the act of going along with someone else on their date.

escort someone to an event

Implies a formal accompaniment to a specific event.

entertain someone on a date

Implies the act of providing amusement or enjoyment for someone during a date.

go out for an evening with someone

Broader, refers to spending an evening socially, without specific romantic implications.

go on an outing with someone

Refers to a more casual, less structured activity with another person.

go on a social engagement with someone

A formal and more general term for participating in a planned social event.

FAQs

How can I use "take a date" in a sentence?

You can use "take a date" to describe the act of bringing someone on a romantic or social outing. For instance, "I'm planning to "take a date" to the new Italian restaurant".

What's a more formal way to say "take a date"?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "invite a guest", "accompany someone", or "host an acquaintance" instead of ""take a date"".

What does it mean to "take a date to the polls"?

The expression "take a date to the polls" encourages people to vote together as a couple or with a friend to increase voter turnout.

Is "take someone as a date" the same as "take a date"?

Yes, "take someone as a date" and ""take a date"" are essentially synonymous. Both phrases mean to invite someone to accompany you to an event as your romantic partner or social companion.