Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to go on a date with him,

[angliholic]

Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to go on a date with him, but he was afraid of being turned down.
Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to go out on a date with him, ...
Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to make/have a date with him, ...


Do all of the above sound right? Are there subtle nuances among them? Thanks.

[Ouisch]

The first two sentences have basically the same meaning. Keith is romantically interested in Jennifer, but he doesn't know if she feels the same way, so he is hesitant to ask her out on a date.


In the third sentence, "make a date" is correct usage, but it implies either a business or friendly "let's get together and find out what you've been up to" appointment, not a romantic outing. So it's not likely that Keith would worry about being turned down.

"Have a date" is not typically used in AmE.

[baqarah131]

The first two are good, and mean the same. There's nothing wrong with the third, but it's less likely that anyone would word it that way.

Actually, I think "with him" is redundant.

I'd say:
Keith wanted to ask Jennifer for a date, but he was afraid she'd turn him down.

We really emphasize brevity in English.

regards
edward

Originally Posted by angliholic

Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to go on a date with him, but he was afraid of being turned down.
Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to go out on a date with him, ...
Keith wanted to ask Jennifer to make/have a date with him, ...


Do all of the above sound right? Are there subtle nuances among them? Thanks.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Ouisch and Edward.