Date vs Date

• Date (a specific day on the calendar) – Noun

• Date (a romantic meeting or social outing) – Noun

Pronunciation

These words are homonyms, meaning they are spelled the same, sound the same, but have different meanings.

• Date (Noun): Pronounced /deɪt/ (DAYT) — A romantic meeting.

• Date (Noun): Pronounced /deɪt/ (DAYT) — A specific day.

Listen to the audio. They sound the same.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "date" in context.
Can you tell which “date” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. What is the date today?
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

2. She has a dinner date with her partner tonight.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

3. The event is scheduled for the date of June 15th.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

4. He asked her out on a date to the movies.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

5. Make sure to write the date on the top of the paper.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

6. Their first date was at a coffee shop.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

7. The deadline date for the assignment is next Monday.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

8. He was nervous before his date with someone he just met online.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

9. The date of the wedding has been finalized.
   a. A specific day on the calendar
   b. A romantic meeting or social outing

10. They went on a hiking date last weekend.
    a. A specific day on the calendar
    b. A romantic meeting or social outing

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Date (a specific day on the calendar)

1. The date of the meeting has been changed. (Stress date to emphasize the day.)

2. Please remember the date for the final exam. (Highlight date to focus on the schedule.)

3. What is today’s date? (Emphasize date to show curiosity.)

Date (a romantic meeting or social outing)

1. She had a dinner date with her partner. (Stress date to focus on the event.)

2. He asked her out on a date to the movies. (Highlight date to show the nature of the outing.)

3. They enjoyed their first date at the park. (Emphasize date to show significance.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Date (a specific day on the calendar):

1. Important date: Focuses on a significant day.

   • Tip: Stress important to highlight its value.

   • Sentence: Don’t forget the important date of the anniversary.

2. Exact date: Refers to precision.

   • Tip: Highlight exact to show accuracy.

   • Sentence: Can you tell me the exact date of the event?

3. Final date: Indicates a deadline or conclusion.

   • Tip: Emphasize final to stress the urgency.

   • Sentence: The final date for submissions is next Friday.

Date (a romantic meeting or social outing):

1. First date: Highlights the initial meeting.

   • Tip: Highlight first to show significance.

   • Sentence: They were both nervous on their first date.

2. Dinner date: Refers to a romantic meal outing.

   • Tip: Emphasize dinner to specify the type of date.

   • Sentence: She is excited about their dinner date tonight.

3. Fun date: Describes an enjoyable outing.

   • Tip: Stress fun to focus on the activity.

   • Sentence: They planned a fun date at the amusement park.

Things to Remember:

The word "date" is used in different contexts:

• Date (a specific day on the calendar): Commonly used with "important date," "exact date," or "final date."

  • Example: The exact date of the exam is June 10th.

• Date (a romantic meeting or social outing): Often paired with "first date," "dinner date," or "fun date."

  • Example: Their first date was at a quiet café.