How to Write Dates: Proper Formats for Sentences and Numerals

How to Write Dates: Proper Formats for Sentences and Numerals ImageWriting the date is a relatively simple task, but it can get tricky depending on your intended reader and the format you wish to use.

If you’re from the U.S. and want to invite a friend from England to your wedding, for example, you’ll want to be very clear when expressing the date.

Writing out the month will probably be your best bet, but we’ll discuss that in more detail below.

How to Write Dates in a Sentence

To avoid confusion, learn the different formats available for writing dates and how you can make yourself clear no matter who will read it.

Years

Generally speaking, years should be written with numerals, except when they are used to start a sentence.

Examples:

  • Today is September 26, 2019.
  • In 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States.
  • Nineteen sixty-nine was the year man first set foot on the moon.

Month and Day

There are several formats to choose from when writing the month and day, which is also why things can get confusing.

In the first format, month-day-year, a comma should be placed between the day and the year. Note that when the month is spelled out using the month-day-year format, only cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3…) should be used, not ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd…).

Correct: September 26, 2019
Incorrect: September 26th, 2019

The exception to the above rule is when “of” is used.

Example:

  • He was born on the 15th of March.

Day of the Week

If you want to specify the day of the week, introduce the day of the week first and separate it from the rest of the date with a comma.

For example:

  • Today is Saturday, September 25, 2019.
  • I was born on Tuesday, August 11, 1995.

Other Date Formats

While the month-day-year format is the most common in the United States, other countries and regions use different formats.

In Europe and the UK, for example, the most common format is day-month-year.

Examples:

  • Her date of birth is 29/11/1994.
  • Today is 26 September 2019.

Note in the example above that when using the day-month-year format, you should not include a comma between the month and year.

In Asia, most countries use the year-month-day format.

Example: 

  • Her date of birth is 1994/11/29.

Know the Cultural Differences

Numeral-only formats are not usually ideal for formal writing, but in more casual circumstances, such as correspondence between friends, the numerical format might be more convenient.

However, it’s important to keep in mind the cultural differences that we noted earlier. If you write frequently with people outside of your geographic region, you may wish to be more clear by spelling the month out.

For example, if I am American and I want to invite my friend from England to my wedding on 10/5/2020, it might be best for me to write “October 5, 2020” or “5 October 2020,” lest I want her to show up on May 10.

As someone who has learned the hard way while living abroad, I can tell you that this extra clarification can really save the day.

Proper Date Formats

Dates can be extremely important pieces of information, especially when you’re signing documents or sending invitations.

By knowing how to write dates properly in both sentences and in numerals, you can communicate more effectively and avoid any potential confusion for your readers.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Think Pieces: What They Are and How to Write One

Image
A think piece, also known as a thought piece, is an article or piece of writing intended to stir up the reader’s thoughts. It is usually speculative, with a lot of expository material, context, and the author’s analysis and opinion of existing ideas. Sometimes, think pieces can lean toward the controversial, especially when they seek to challenge majority opinions. Particularly provocative pieces are often the ones that get shared all over social media or the internet. Editors of magazines, blogs, and websites often pay for think pieces, but they are not that easy to write. This is perhaps why many writers aspire to be published in mainstream publications like The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Economist, The Atlantic, and The Saturday Evening Post , but their submissions barely get a sideways glance.  The good news is that getting a think piece published does not depend on your name or reputation; instead, quality is king. The key is being able to think deeply about a topic
Read more

The Best Mobile Apps for Writers

Image
If you’re a writer looking for a better way to write on your smartphone or mobile device, this post will help. Using a text app or word processor just won’t cut it if you’re doing heavy duty writing on a mobile device. These tools can help whether you have an Android or Apple device. 1. IWriter iWriter is a writing tool that functions excellently on Android and iOS. It is the best app for writing articles, books, or taking detailed notes. iWriter is a simple and elegant text editor. You can download it via iTunes or Google Play . You can check out iWriter subscription pricing here. 2. JotterPad Jotterpad makes it possible to convert files from PDF to WORD and some other popular formats. The app supports Markdown. It includes text styling, a thesaurus, a built-in dictionary that’ll even help you rhyme. It has essential features such as snapshots, typewriter scrolling, undo/redo, night vision, universal dark theme, and phrase finder. JotterPad supports full Cloud integratio
Read more

8 Best Journal Apps to Track Your Gratitude, Health, and Memories

Image
Keeping a journal can provide a number of proven health benefits, including help with depression, anxiety, and stress. However, finding time to sit down and scribble out your feelings with a pen and notebook isn’t always easy. But one thing you probably always have within reach? Your phone! Journaling doesn’t require a fancy leather-bound notebook or fountain tip pen. You can track your thoughts with pretty much anything, from a napkin, to loose leaf paper, and, of course, apps! There are some pretty fantastic journal apps out there that can help you track your memories, health, gratitude, and more. Most will even send you reminders to help you stay on track with your journaling goals! The Best Journal Apps We’ve compiled a list of the 8 best journal apps that make staying in tune with your thoughts and feelings easier than ever before. Check out our top picks below! 1. Day One Day One makes journaling fun and easy with user-friendly templates that will inspire you to write,
Read more