Save the Date: Write Dates in English Correctly

Some things are so deeply ingrained in our lives that we barely notice them, although we see and use them every day. One such thing is dates — we see them every time we look at our smartphones, we use them for making plans or for writing invitations for special occasions. But have you ever paid attention to the date format you use?

When it comes to writing dates in English, there are a few things you need to know. For instance, while there is one commonly used date format, there are also separate rules on how to write the year, the month, and day, and even centuries.

In this article, we will cover all of these topics and provide you with writing tips to write dates correctly in English and avoid misunderstandings with your English-speaking friends or colleagues. Let’s get started!

Most Common Date Formats in English

The most common way to write dates in English is to use the day/month/year format (also denoted as DD/MM/YYYY). For example, if you were writing the date for the fifth of January, 2022, you would write it as 05/01/22.

However, there are also other ways to write dates in the English language. Americans use the month/day/year format — again, in a purely numerical form. This way, the same date, January 5th, would be written as 01/05/2022.

Another way to write the date in English is to add the day of the week first, followed by the day and then the month. So, the same date would be written as Friday, 5 January, 2022. Note that the year follows after a comma.

Finally, you can use the international standard for writing dates in English — write the year first, followed by the month, and then the day (also known as YYYY/MM/DD format). This way, the same date would be written as 2022/01/05.

Here is a handy table to help you visualize the differences between these formats:

Note that the numerical format of date writing is generally used informally or when there’s limited space, so it won’t be your best choice for a formal business letter or legal documents, for instance.

If you choose the all-numeric date format, there are always two slashes or hyphens to separate the parts of the date — one between the day and month and another one between the month and year.

American vs. British Date Formats

The two most commonly used date formats come from British and American English. The British English date format is day/month/year, while the month/day/year format occurs in American usage.

In the American English date format, the month is written as a word (January, March, November, etc.), followed by the day of the month and then the year. The year can be written with two-digit numbers (22 for 2022) or four (2022).

When writing a date with a day of the week, the order is: day of the week, month, day, year. For example:

The British English date format is nearly the same, but the day is written first, followed by the full month (e.g. September, April, June) and then the year. However, no comma is necessary for writing the date in British English. For example:

As such, the main difference between British and American English date formats is that an American writes the month before the day, while the British date format puts the day before the month.

Now let’s take a closer look at how to write each part of an entire date:

How to Write the Month and Day

You can write the month with either two digits or spell it out in full, both forms are correct.

Using a number to indicate the month is the most common, and it is generally written in informal situations. The full name of the month should be used in formal writing, such as a business letter, a resume, or a legal document.

In both British and American forms, the name of the month can be abbreviated if it’s a part of a specific date. In order to abbreviate the month, you should write its first three letters, followed by a period. The only exceptions are May, June, and July. For example:

However, it is recommended to avoid abbreviations in formal writing unless they’re used to save space, like in tables or charts.

When it comes to the day of the month, ordinal numbers (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd) are usually omitted in American formal writing, although they are frequently used in speech. Similarly, in British usage, it would be best to use a cardinal number (e.g. 1, 2, 3) when writing the date in formal situations.

How to Write the Year

In both the American and British date formats, the year can be written with either two or four digits.

The two-digit year is the most common form, and it is generally used in informal writing — you can use this for a wedding invitation, for instance. The four-digit year is used when writing formal documents or in business correspondence — for example, a formal letter or a contract agreement.

Note that if the year is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it should be written out as words. For example:

How to Write Centuries

Centuries can be written in different ways, too. You can use the following:

Note that you don’t need to use an apostrophe after writing numbers, as centuries are plurals, not possessives.

How to Write Dates with Days of the Week

When writing dates with days of the week, use the following order: the day of the week, month, day, and year. To make the long-form date easier to read, use a comma after the day of the week. Here are the examples:

Rules for Writing Dates in English: An Overview

As you can see, there are several different date formats in the English language, each one with its own nuances and recommended usage. While all of them are perfectly acceptable, remember to stick to the same format in your writing to make it look unified and professional.

When in doubt, remember that the British format (DD/MM/YYYY) is the most commonly used format outside of the US.

In order not to get confused by so many rules, here are the key takeaways you need to keep in mind every time you write the date in English:

Wrapping Up

Now you know the basics of how to write dates in English. If you’re traveling or doing business in other countries, it’s important to be aware of the date format they use. When in doubt, stick to the international standard in order to avoid confusion.

The most important thing to remember when writing dates is to be consistent. Once you’ve chosen a format, use the same format throughout your document. This will make it easier for your reader to understand and follow along. With a little practice, you’ll be writing dates like a pro in no time.

You should also consider downloading our Langster app, which is full of bite-sized stories that will allow you to see various date formats in different contexts and read them correctly. Good luck!