article/preposition in dates

Question

Hi,given the sentences:1. His birthday is on 12th July.2. His birthday is on the 12th of July.I've read somewhere on the internet that 1.) is correct, and 2.) is also correct, but only when used in spoken English. The source said, that the article "the" and the preposition "of" are omitted in written English in this case. (This refers to British English).Is this information correct?Thanks a lot,ac2000

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1. His birthday is on July 12th.
2. His birthday is on the 12th of July.

You will see other permutations, but these are the most generally accepted for narrative.

ac2000I've read somewhere on the internet that 1.) is correct,

I don't agree. If 'correct', it is not popular. 'On 12 July' is rather stilted in narrative, but more 'correct'.

ac2000 2.) is also correct, but only when used in spoken English

No, it is common in letter-writing and narrative.

ac2000This refers to British English).

Although I speak AmE, I will be surprised if BrE is substantially different on this point.

Odessa Dawn · Answer

I recommend that you read the most common versions and worthwhile Grammar Point:

www.mistermicawbers.com - Grammar Points

Fivejedjon · Answer

ac2000His birthday is on 12th July.

This is fine in written British English, but 'His birthday is on 12 July' is more common.

ac2000His birthday is on the 12th of July.

ac2000The source said, that the article "the" and the preposition "of" are omitted in written English in this case. (This refers to British English).

The source is correct. We speakers of British English say the words 'the' and 'of', but we don't write them.

The written forms 'July 12' and 'July 12th' are not incorrect in British English, but are not very common.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Welcome back, 5jj!  We missed you.

Ac2000 · Answer

Thank you for the explanations.
I hope I can remember all this. It sure is a difficult thing with all these variants of writing the date.

Have a nice day,

ac2000

Fivejedjon · Answer

ac2000I hope I can remember all this. It sure is a difficult thing with all these variants of writing the date.

Don't worry too much. Even if you say/write something that is a little unnatural to the person you are talking to, the meaning will still come through. You do have to be very careful, however, when you use only figures. 5/12/2013 means 5 December 2013 to a speaker of BrE, but July 12 2013 to an American. I recommend that you always write the month as a word.

Ac2000 · Answer

fivejedjon Even if you say/write something that is a little unnatural to the person you are talking to, the meaning will still come through.

Thanks for your encouragement.
But my question was related to a writing and editing job I'm currently doing, so I had to be pedantic

Actually I had all the stuff already proofread by an assumed pro native proofreader in BrE, but I got the impression that the person didn't pay attention to the writing/speaking preposition issue, and my impression was obviously right.
Do you happen to offer proofreading services too?

fivejedjon You do have to be very careful, however, when you use only figures. 5/12/2013 means 5 December 2013 to a speaker of BrE, but July 12 2013 to an American. I recommend that you always writeTh the month as a word.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind!

Best wishes,
ac2000

Mister Micawber · Answer

fivejedjon5/12/2013 means 5 December 2013 to a speaker of BrE, but July 12 2013 to an American.

I wish it were so simple, but you can't trust anybody these days.

article/preposition in dates

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