Greetings! If you’re looking to brush up on how to say the date in British English, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you need to know formal or informal ways, we’ve got you covered. While there aren’t many regional variations, we’ll mention them if necessary. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways
When it comes to more formal situations in British English, there are a few key phrases and conventions to follow:
- Day, Month, Year: In formal settings, it is customary to mention the day first, followed by the month and year. For instance, “11th May 2022.”
- Ordinal Numbers: It is important to use ordinal numbers when mentioning the day. Instead of saying “May 11th,” which is common in American English, British English will use “11th May.” Be sure to include “th,” “st,” “nd,” or “rd” after the number to indicate the day’s position.
- No Commas: In formal writing or when you want to give a precise date while speaking, do not use commas. For example, “I have an appointment on 5th July 2022.”
- Full Month Names: It is standard practice to use the full name of the month rather than abbreviations. For example, instead of “Jan” or “Feb,” you would use “January” or “February.”
Informal Ways
When it comes to more informal situations or conversational speech, British English allows for some flexibility:
- Month, Day (optional), Year: In informal contexts, it is common to mention the month first, followed by the day and year. For example, “May 11th, 2022” or “May 11th.”
- Abbreviations: Unlike formal settings, you can use abbreviations of the month in informal situations. For instance, “Jan,” “Feb,” “Mar,” or “Dec” rather than the full month names.
- Commas (optional): In less formal writing or when speaking, you may use commas to indicate pauses or separate parts of the date. For example, “I have an appointment on July 5th, 2022.”
- No Ordinal Numbers: In more informal settings, it is not essential to use ordinal numbers. You can simply state the day without the “th,” “st,” “nd,” or “rd” suffix. For instance, “May 11” or “11 May.”
Regional Variations
While there aren’t significant regional variations in British English, there are small differences you may encounter:
Scotland:
In Scotland, the word “of” is commonly used when saying the date. For example, “11th of May 2022.” This is often heard in both formal and informal contexts.
Wales:
Similar to Scotland, the Welsh also use the word “of.” Thus, you might hear “11th of May 2022” in Wales as well, especially in more formal situations.
Northern Ireland:
In Northern Ireland, the format of saying the date is like the rest of the United Kingdom. However, some people might add the word “on” before stating the date, like “On 11th May 2022.”
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you confidently say the date in British English:
Tip 1: When writing the date, it is common to abbreviate the month and end with a full stop (period). For example, “11 May 2022.”
Example 1 (Formal): The conference will be held on 21st October 2022.
Example 2 (Informal): Let’s plan a movie night on 3rd September.
Example 3 (Scotland): The concert is scheduled for 5th of November.
Example 4 (Wales): Our anniversary is on the 14th of February.
Example 5 (Northern Ireland): We have a meeting on the 30th November.
Remember, proper use of the day, month, and year will ensure clear and accurate communication when stating the date in British English.
Now that you have a comprehensive guide on how to say the date in British English, you can confidently navigate various formal and informal situations. Whether you’re attending a meeting, writing an email, or simply having a conversation, these tips and examples will surely come in handy. Happy date-telling!
