Guide: How to Say the Date in English Worksheet

When learning English, it is important to understand how to express the date correctly. Whether you are writing a formal letter, filling out a form, or simply having a conversation, knowing how to say the date in English is essential. In this worksheet guide, we will provide you with detailed tips, examples, and both formal and informal ways to express the date in English.

Formal Ways to Say the Date

When it comes to formal situations, such as writing an official letter or document, it is crucial to use the correct format for expressing the date in English. Here are some formal ways to say the date:

1. Day-Month-Year: This is the most common format in many English-speaking countries outside of North America. For example, “12th March 2023” or “7th September 2022.”
2. Month-Day-Year: This format is predominantly used in the United States. For instance, “March 12th, 2023” or “September 7th, 2022.”
3. Ordinal Numbers: When writing the date, you should use ordinal numbers for the day (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) rather than cardinal numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3). This adds formality to your writing. For example, “3rd December 2023” or “20th October 2022.”
4. Including the Day of the Week: In some formal situations, it is appropriate to include the day of the week before the actual date. For instance, “Thursday, 12th March 2023” or “Tuesday, 7th September 2022.”

Informal Ways to Say the Date

In casual conversations, emails, or when writing to friends and family, you can use a more relaxed format to express the date. Here are some informal ways to say the date in English:

1. Month-Day-Year: Similar to the formal format, this is common in casual conversations. For example, “March 12th, 2023” or “September 7th, 2022.”
2. Month-Year: If the specific day is not important, you can simply mention the month and the year. For instance, “March 2023” or “September 2022.”
3. Using Abbreviations for Months: In informal settings, you can use abbreviated forms for the months, such as “Jan” for January, “Feb” for February, and so on. For example, “Dec 3rd, 2023” or “Oct 20th, 2022.”

Tips and Examples

Now that we’ve covered both formal and informal ways to say the date in English, let’s dive into some useful tips and examples:

1. Be consistent:

When writing multiple dates within the same document, make sure to use the same format. This ensures clarity and avoids confusion.

2. Capitalize appropriately:

Remember to capitalize the first letter of the month in both formal and informal expressions. For example, “October 15th, 2023” or “Mar 7th, 2022.”

3. Consider cultural differences:

Pay attention to the cultural nuances if you are writing or speaking to someone from a different English-speaking country. Ensure you are using the appropriate format based on their local customs.

4. Use leading zeros:

When using the day and month format, add a leading zero to single-digit days and months. For example, “01st July 2023” or “09th January 2022.”

Example: “I will be visiting London on July 01st, 2023.”

5. Be clear with the year:

Sometimes it may be necessary to be more explicit with the year, especially when there is a possibility of confusion. For example, “July 4th, 2023” can be stated as “July 4th, 2023” or “July 4th, 2023” to avoid any misunderstanding.

6. Practice reading and writing dates:

To reinforce your understanding, practice writing and reading out dates regularly. This will help you become more confident in using the correct format.

By following these tips and examples, you will be able to express the date accurately and confidently in both formal and informal situations.