How to Write Dates Correctly in English
Writing dates in English can vary based on formality, region, and context. British and American English follow different conventions, and international standards aim to eliminate confusion. This guide explains how to write dates properly in different contexts, including IELTS exams.
Correct Date Formats in English
The format you use depends on whether you are writing a formal or informal text and whether you follow British or American English conventions. Generally, more complex date styles indicate a more formal tone.
British English Date Format
In British English (also used in Australia), the standard order is day – month – year. For example, the 6th of September 2019 can be written in different ways:
- 6 Sept
- 6 September
- 6 September 2019
- 6th September 2019 (more formal)
- the 6th of September 2019 (more formal)
- the 6th of September, 2019 (commas optional)
If including the day of the week, it comes first:
- Saturday, 13 April 2019
- Saturday the 13th of April, 2019
For numeric formats, the British style follows this pattern:
- 6/9/19 or 6.9.19 or 6-9-19
- 06/09/2019 or 06.09.2019 or 06-09-2019
American English Date Format
In American English, the order is month – day – year. The same date (6th September 2019) would be written as:
- Sept 6
- September 6
- September 6, 2019
- Monday, September 6, 2019
For numeric formats, the American style follows this pattern:
- 04/13/19 or 04.13.19 or 04-13-19
- 04/13/2019 or 04.13.2019 or 04-13-2019
- Apr. 13, 2019
International Standard (ISO 8601)
To avoid confusion between British and American formats, an international standard is recommended:
YYYY-MM-DD (Year – Month – Day)
For example:
- 2019-02-03 (February 3, 2019)
- 2018 January 1 (no comma)
This format is widely used in Asia, scientific research, and official documents to prevent misinterpretation.
Writing Dates for IELTS
IELTS Writing Test
Both British and American formats are acceptable, but you should match the tone of your letter to the date format:
- Formal: “6th September 2019” (British) / “September 6, 2019” (American)
- Informal: “6 Sept 2019” or “06/09/2019”
Key IELTS Writing Tips:
✔️ Always capitalize months: January, February, March
✔️ Avoid omitting the year: 20 November 2019, not just 20 November
✔️ Avoid numeric-only formats in formal writing: Write “6th September 2019” instead of “06/09/2019”
✔️ Use proper abbreviations: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec
IELTS Listening Test
✔️ Pay attention to word limits (e.g., “Write no more than two words”). Writing more will result in a zero score.
✔️ Multiple formats are correct: 24th April, April 24, and 24 April are all acceptable.
✔️ To avoid spelling errors, use numeric dates: 19/02 or 02/19 (for February 19).
IELTS Speaking Test
In spoken English, dates use ordinal numbers:
- Written: “March 30, 1993”
- Spoken (US): “March thirtieth, nineteen ninety-three”
- Spoken (UK): “the thirtieth of March, nineteen ninety-three”
Common Year Pronunciations:
- 1100 → Eleven hundred
- 1309 → Thirteen ‘oh’ nine
- 1910 → Nineteen ten
- 2000 → Two thousand
- 2019 → Two thousand nineteen OR Twenty nineteen
FAQs on Writing Dates
1. What is the most formal way to write a date?
In British English: 6th September 2019
In American English: September 6, 2019
2. What is the difference between British and American date formats?
British: Day – Month – Year (e.g., 6 September 2019)
American: Month – Day – Year (e.g., September 6, 2019)
3. What is the best way to avoid confusion with dates?
Use the ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DD), especially in international settings.
4. Can I use numbers only when writing dates?
Yes, but it depends on the format:
- British: 6/9/19 (6th September 2019)
- American: 9/6/19 (September 6, 2019)
5. Is it correct to write “September 1st, 2019”?
It is not common in American English, but “September 1, 2019” is correct.
This guide ensures that your dates are written correctly, whether for formal writing, IELTS exams, or daily communication.