what date was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what date was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about a specific date related to an event or occurrence in the past. Example: "What date was the meeting scheduled for last month?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Among the questions: On what date was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

The New Yorker

What date was convenient for her to read David Letterman's Top Ten list?

The New Yorker

On what date was the report that the "president had received favorable treatment to enter the Texas Air National Guard" broadcast?

The New York Times

So we asked you: What date was Laurence's birthday party?

BBC

While you listen, try to answer this question: What date was his party?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Both of them were confused when they were asked about "What date is today?", though they could remember "What date is today?" From the results, we could tell that subject1 was good at calculating because he could count the price correctly for harvest.

Visualization in Engineering

They harbored grade school crushes on each other before they even knew what dating was.

The New York Times

I didn't know what dating was like, and all of a sudden I didn't have a girlfriend anymore".

The New York Times

Remember what dating was like in Junior High?

Huffington Post

Bob's courting skills were clearly impressive, though this is probably not what dating was like back in the day. .

Huffington Post

Bruni describes the reaction of an Orthodox couple upon discovering their server's sexual orientation: they asked what dating was like for a gay man.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what date was", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or occurrence the date refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the question is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "what date is" when referring to past events. "What date was" is the correct form for inquiring about a date in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what date was" serves as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about a specific date in the past. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's commonly used to ask about historical events or previously scheduled activities. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what date was" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative phrase used to inquire about a specific date in the past. As Ludwig examples indicate, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, though also present in science and wiki sources. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the event the date refers to, and remember to use "what date was" (past) versus "what date is" (present/future).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on what date did it happen

Rephrases the question to emphasize the event that occurred on the date.

when was the date

Changes the structure to begin with "when", focusing on the time aspect.

what was the date of

Alters the wording to emphasize the date's association with an event or item.

can you tell me the date

Introduces a request format, asking for the date to be provided.

what specific date was it

Adds emphasis on the need for a precise date.

what date are you referring to

Focuses on clarifying which date is being asked about.

what exact date was that

Reinforces the need for an accurate and precise date.

which date are we talking about

Queries about which specific date is under discussion.

what date is in question

Highlights that there's a particular date being investigated or questioned.

approximately when was the date

Asks for an approximate timeframe if the exact date is unknown.

FAQs

How do I use "what date was" in a sentence?

Use "what date was" to ask about a specific date when something happened in the past. For example, "What date was the Declaration of Independence adopted?"

What can I say instead of "what date was"?

You can use alternatives like "on what date did it happen" or "when was the date" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "what date is" instead of "what date was"?

No, "what date is" is used for the current date or a future event. Use "what date was" when referring to a date in the past.

What's the difference between "what date was" and "what was the date of"?

"What date was" is a direct question about the date itself. "What was the date of" is used to specify the date in relation to an event, like "What was the date of the concert?"