used to date

USAGE SUMMARY

"used to date" is a valid expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was in use during a period at a specific point in time. For example: "This building was used to date back to the 1800s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We used to date.

The New Yorker

You used to date Carrie Fisher.

The New York Times - Magazine

He used to date Naomi Campbell.

The New Yorker

"We all used to date the same girls.

The New Yorker

Other scientists said they had confidence in the analytical techniques used to date the beads.

The New York Times - Science

It is still the fastest smartphone I have used to date.

The Guardian - Tech

This may require a slightly different approach than these countries have used to date.

The Guardian - Opinion

The figure that we have used to date is over 100 related inquiries".

The Guardian

Dendrochronology has been used to date Navajo hogans and Viking ships.

The New Yorker

This means the state of the rocks around a crater can be used to date it.

The Guardian

Its growth is so slow that it's often used to date rock formations.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about past relationships, ensure your tense is consistent. Use "used to date" to specifically indicate a past, completed relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "use to date" without the 'd' as it changes the meaning and is grammatically incorrect. "Used to" indicates a past habit or state, while "use to" suggests current usage or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to date" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past romantic relationship. It describes a state or action that was true in the past but is no longer current. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "used to date" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase for expressing a past romantic relationship. As validated by Ludwig, this phrase effectively communicates that a dating relationship existed in the past but no longer persists. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, holding a neutral register appropriate for various communication settings. When writing or speaking, it's important to maintain consistent tense and avoid the grammatical error of omitting the 'd' in "used". Alternative phrases like "previously dated" or "were once romantically involved" can provide variety while preserving clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously dated

A more concise way to convey the past dating relationship.

dated in the past

Emphasizes the action of dating occurred at some point in the past.

were once romantically involved

A more formal way of saying they had a romantic connection.

had a relationship with

Highlights that there was a bond and relationship between two people.

used to be an item

An informal way to indicate a past relationship.

were previously seeing each other

Emphasizes that they were actively in the process of dating.

were formerly a couple

More formal, indicates a couple relationship that has ended.

once went out with

Focuses on the act of going on dates.

had a past romance with

Highlights the romantic aspect of the prior relationship.

were in a relationship before

Stresses the prior existence of a relationship.

FAQs

How do I use "used to date" in a sentence?

Use "used to date" to indicate that someone had a romantic relationship with another person in the past. For example, "She "used to date" him in college".

What's the difference between "used to date" and "dated"?

"Dated" simply indicates that two people went on dates, whereas ""used to date"" implies a more sustained relationship that has now ended.

Are there more formal alternatives to "used to date"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "were previously seeing each other" or "had a relationship with" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "use to date" instead of "used to date"?

No, "use to date" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""used to date"", with the 'd' included.