linq sql peculiarities

i'm encountering peculiarities linq sql.

with comparatively rudimentary query, i wish name fields, nonetheless have date fields formatted strings, i initial achieved this:

        var list = datacontext.mylists.single(x => x.id == myid);

        var equipment = i list.myitems
                    select
                        new
                            {
                                i.id,
                                i.sector,
                                i.description,
                                completedate = i.completedate.hasvalue ? i.completedate.value.toshortdatestring() : "",
                                duedate = i.duedate.hasvalue ? i.duedate.value.toshortdatestring() : ""
                            };                               

later i attempted following query, accurately same, solely i'm querying loyal datacontext, rather an component initial query:

        var equipment = i datacontext.mylists
                    select
                        new
                            {
                                i.id,
                                i.sector,
                                i.description,
                                completedate = i.completedate.hasvalue ? i.completedate.value.toshortdatestring() : "",
                                duedate = i.duedate.hasvalue ? i.duedate.value.toshortdatestring() : ""
                            };

the initial runs fine, nonetheless second query yields a:

could interpret countenance '...' sql provide internal expression.

if i mislay lines format date, works fine. i mislay .hasvalue check also works fine, until there zero values.

any ideas?

anthony