the date that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the date that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific day and time in the past or present. For example: "We arranged to meet on the date that had been agreed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was the date that offered itself up".

The New York Times - Arts

The date that really matters this year is Dec. 21.

The New York Times - Arts

"The date that was picked was the week after the Oscar nominations came out.

The New York Times

It's the date that is feared and anticipated in equal measure: results day.

The Guardian

no later than the date that is 25 years after the date" of its enactment.

The Washington Post

No, we're not announcing the date that will happen yet.

TechCrunch

The "Custom Date" field shows the date that will display in the entry.

Duke University

The Custom Date field shows the date that will be displayed in the citation.

Duke University

For Sculthorpe, it's not just the date that needs to change so much as national attitudes.

Vice

And that is the date that has to be taken seriously". .

Los Angeles Times

Transaction Date: enter the date that is on the supplier Invoice.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the date that" to clearly specify a particular date within a context, ensuring there is no ambiguity about the reference.

Common error

Avoid using "on the date that", as "the date that" already implies a specific point in time. Redundant prepositions can clutter your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the date that" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a specific date. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common in English writing. Examples from Ludwig show it specifying deadlines, anniversaries, and other time-sensitive events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the date that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to specify a particular date. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to provide precise temporal anchoring, and it is commonly found in news, academic, and wiki contexts. Alternatives such as "the day that" or "the occasion when" can be used for variety, but it's crucial to avoid redundant phrases like "on the date that". Understanding its function and usage patterns can improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the day that

Replaces "date" with "day", focusing on the specific day rather than the broader concept of a date.

the specific date of

Emphasizes the exact date, adding a layer of precision.

the occasion when

Substitutes "date" with "occasion" and uses "when" instead of "that", emphasizing the event associated with the date.

the particular day of

Similar to "specific date of", but uses "day" instead of "date".

the time that

Replaces "date" with "time", broadening the scope to include specific moments rather than just calendar dates.

the aforementioned date

Refers back to a date previously mentioned, useful for maintaining coherence in writing.

the point when

Uses "point" instead of "date", highlighting a specific moment in time when something occurs.

the moment that

Similar to "point when", but emphasizes a shorter duration or more precise instant.

the designated date

Highlights that the date has been officially chosen or assigned.

the day upon which

A more formal variation using "upon which" instead of "that", suitable for formal writing.

FAQs

How can I use "the date that" in a sentence?

"The date that" is used to specify a particular date when something occurred or will occur. For example, "The date that the contract was signed is crucial."

What's the difference between "the date that" and "the date when"?

While both are grammatically correct, "the date that" is more versatile and commonly used in various contexts. "The date when" is also acceptable but might sound slightly more formal.

What can I say instead of "the date that"?

You can use alternatives like "the day that" or "the occasion when" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on the date that"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's often considered redundant. Using just "the date that" is more concise and equally effective.