Help understanding idiom 'dated at'

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wayofjungle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 77; Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:55 am; Thanked: 12 times

by wayofjungle » Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:58 pm

For those that havent learned this yet, the GMAT treats the term 'date' as an idiom, which must be used in the form "dated at". This seems particularly troubling when using logical reasoning if not familiar with the idiom. Can someone confirm that the meaning or usage on these following examples is correct? ('meaning or usage' is singluar right?)

The artifact was dated at 12 B.C. <- The artifact was dated during the year 12 B.C.
The artifact was dated at 2023 years old. <- The artifact is thought to be 2023 years old.
They dated the archive at 12 years old. <- The group dated the archive when they were 12 years old.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:58 pm

vineeshp: Legendary Member; Posts: 965; Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:52 amFollowed by: 34 members; Thanked: 156 times; GMAT Score:720

by vineeshp » Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:36 pm

Depends on the intended meaning. Usually SC questions will clearly tell you what is the context of date.

dated at is used to indicate the age of an object or a fossil. Remember carbon dating?

But in the following example,
The memo, dated 12th May, .... Here it indicates the date of creation of the memo.

In your example,

They dated the archive at 12 years old. <- The group dated the archive when they were 12 years old.

here, If the intended meaning is to say the archive is 12 years, then the usage is okay.
But if you are saying the "they" were 12 years old, then it is wrong.

Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert.

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Frankenstein: Legendary Member; Posts: 1448; Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 9:55 amFollowed by: 53 members; Location: India; Thanked: 375 times

by Frankenstein » Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:11 pm

wayofjungle wrote:For those that havent learned this yet, the GMAT treats the term 'date' as an idiom, which must be used in the form "dated at". This seems particularly troubling when using logical reasoning if not familiar with the idiom. Can someone confirm that the meaning or usage on these following examples is correct? ('meaning or usage' is singluar right?)

The artifact was dated at 12 B.C. <- The artifact was dated during the year 12 B.C.
The artifact was dated at 2023 years old. <- The artifact is thought to be 2023 years old.
They dated the archive at 12 years old. <- The group dated the archive when they were 12 years old.

Hi,
dated at - to denote a time period
date from - to have an existence that extends from a particular time
dated to - is followed by date
So, The artifact was dated to 12 B.C. <- The artifact was dated during the year 12 B.C.
The artifact was dated at 2023 years old. <- The artifact is thought to be 2023 years old.
They dated the archive at 12 years old. <- The group dated the archive when they were 12 years old.(Incorrect)
They dated the archive at 12 years old. = The archive has been dated at 12 years old.
The archives date from the early 90s.

Cheers!

Things are not what they appear to be... nor are they otherwise

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