Learn tips on how to write dates correctly in English, whether you're ending your sentences with the date or plopping them right into the middle, including a few examples. Plus, an explanation of "in" vs. "on" when writing out dates.
How to Write a Date at the End of a Sentence:
Correct: Jaws was released in the United States on June 20, 1975.
Incorrect: Jaws was released in the United States on June 20 1975.
If we wanted to be more general, we'd do the same thing, except we'd remove the numeral for the day and the comma and space that follow it.
Correct: Jaws was released in the United States in June 1975.
Incorrect: Jaws was released in the United States in June, 1975.
How to Write a Date in the Middle of a Sentence:
If there is a numeral for the day, remember to offset your year with a comma before and after the year numeral.
Correct: Jaws was released in the United States on June 20, 1975, and overseas in December 1975.
Incorrect: Jaws was released in the United States on June 20, 1975 and overseas in December 1975.
If there's not a numeral for the day (that is, just month and numeral for the year), then no extra commas are necessary.
Correct: Jaws was released overseas in December 1975 and in the United States on June 20, 1975.
Incorrect: Jaws was released overseas in December 1975, and in the United States on June 20, 1975.
What's Happening With "In" vs. "On" When Writing Out Dates?
'In' is used when writing out general dates like months and years.
Correct: Jaws was released overseas in December 1975.
Incorrect: Jaws was released overseas on December 1975.
Meanwhile, 'on' is used when writing specific days, dates, and holidays.
Correct: Jaws was released in the United States on June 20, 1975.
Correct: Jaws was released in the United States on Friday.
Incorrect: Jaws was released in the United States on June 1975.
[NOTE: Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest Magazine]