What's today's date?

How to write the date

In the UK, the day comes first, followed by the month:
• 12.01.01 = 12 January 2001
• 11/08/2011 = 11 August 2011
• They were married on 4 March 1981.

In the US, the month comes first:
• 08/09/07 = August 9, 2007
• 10-01-05 = October 1, 2005
• I was born on March 6, 1977.

How to say dates

In the UK, people usually say:
• What's the date?
• It's the 12th of January, two thousand and one.
• It's January the twelfth.
• I'm leaving on the 24th of October.
• She starts her new job on the second of December.

In the US, people usually say:
• What's today's date?
• March sixth, two thousand three.
• Our agreement takes effect (on) June first.
On ceremonial occasions and in legal documents, Americans use fancier language:
• We're celebrating the fourth of July.
• ...this third day of October, nineteen hundred and seventy-six.

Note that we always say first, second, third, fourth, etc., even though the date is written "1", "2", "3", "4", etc.

Prepositions

On a day:
• on Tuesday
• on the first of January
• on New Year's Eve

In a month / a year:
• in June
• in May
• in 1985

Now try the exercise on the next page.

Dagmar Taylor