How to Read and Write Dates in English

Understanding how to read, write, and say dates is a vital skill when learning English. Whether you’re planning a meeting, booking a trip, or chatting with friends, using dates correctly can help you communicate more clearly. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mastering dates in English!

Asking About Days of the Week

When you want to ask what day it is, use the following phrases:

  • What day is it today?
  • What’s the day today?
  • What day is it tomorrow?
  • What’s the day tomorrow?

How to Answer:

  • It’s Monday today. / Today is Monday.
  • It’s Tuesday tomorrow. / Tomorrow is Tuesday.

Asking About Dates

If you need to ask about a specific date, say:

  • What’s the date today?
  • What’s today’s date?
  • What’s the date tomorrow?
  • What’s tomorrow’s date?

How to Answer:

  • It’s 18th January. / Today is 18th January.
  • Tomorrow is January 19th.

How to Say the Date

When speaking dates in English, we use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) instead of cardinal numbers (one, two, three).

Example:

  • It’s the first of January.
  • It’s January first.

Note:
When using the “month first” format, you don’t need to say “the” or “of.”

Understanding Ordinal Numbers

Here are the basic rules:

  • 1 = first
  • 2 = second
  • 3 = third
  • 4 = fourth

For numbers 13-19, add -th (e.g., thirteenth, fourteenth). From 21-31, the ordinal endings match the second digit (e.g., twenty-first, twenty-second).

How to Write the Date

When writing dates in English, you can skip “the” and “of.”

Examples:

  • Speaking: It’s the first of January.
  • Writing: It’s 1st January.

It’s common to add the last two letters of the ordinal number when writing:

  • First – 1st
  • Second – 2nd
  • Third – 3rd

How to Say the Year

There are two ways to say the year:

  • For years up to 2000, pronounce them as two pairs of numbers:
    • 1485 – fourteen eighty-five
    • 1900 – nineteen hundred
  • For years from 2000 onward:
    • 2006 – two thousand six
    • 2012 – twenty twelve (or “two thousand twelve”).

Centuries and Historical Dates

When referring to centuries, use ordinal numbers:

  • 1800-1900 = the nineteenth century
  • 1900-2000 = the twentieth century

For historical dates:

  • B.C. (Before Christ) indicates dates before the birth of Christ.
    • Example: 776 B.C.
  • A.D. (Anno Domini) refers to years after Christ’s birth.
    • Example: 476 A.D.

American vs. British English Date Formats

Be aware of regional differences in date formatting:

  • American English: Month first, then day (e.g., 09.25.2025 = September 25, 2025).
  • British English: Day first, then month (e.g., 25.09.2025 = 25th September, 2025).

When writing dates numerically, clarify the order by writing out the month if needed.

Why Dates Matter

Whether you’re booking a flight, scheduling a meeting, or writing an email, getting the date right ensures clear communication. With practice, reading and writing dates in English will become second nature!

Explore our courses at ELD Training to refine your English skills further, including mastering dates, time, and more!

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