by date

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   According to the date, especially when arranging or organizing things in time order.

   Grammar: Used after verbs like 'sort', 'arrange', 'order', or 'list': sort the files by date.

   Patterns

   • sort something by date
   • arrange something by date
   • list something by date

   Please sort these invoices by date before filing them.

   The photos are arranged by date, from oldest to newest.

   You can filter your emails by date to find the old ones.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   No later than a particular day or time; on or before a deadline.

   Grammar: Usually followed by a specific date or time: by 5 p.m. on Friday.

   Patterns

   • by a certain date
   • by the date shown
   • by the deadline date

   The report must be submitted by the date shown on the form.

   We need to reply by 15 March at the latest.

   All applications must be received by the closing date.

Common combinations

sort by date

I sorted the receipts by date to make the accounts easier.

arranged by date

The books on the shelf are arranged by date of publication.

by date of birth

The list is ordered by date of birth, not by name.

by the date

Please finish the task by the date we agreed.

Synonyms and how they differ

chronologically

Means in order of time; it is an adverb, while 'by date' is a phrase used after a verb.

by deadline

Focuses on a time limit; 'by date' can also mean simply ordering things according to their dates.

Commonly confused: by date or by a date?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “by date”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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