Date of Birth in Words: A Complete Guide to Writing and Understanding Dates

Date of Birth in Words: Have you ever come across a date written in words and found yourself confused about how to interpret it? Writing dates in words can be a common practice in many countries, but it can also be a source of confusion if you’re not familiar with the rules. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing and understanding dates in words, including the various formats used around the world, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Date of Birth in Words

Writing dates in words means expressing the date using letters instead of numbers. For example, instead of writing “02/05/2023,” you would write “February 5th, 2023.” Writing dates in words are commonly used in formal or legal documents, invitations, and other contexts where clarity and precision are important.

Common Date Formats for Writing Dates in Words

Date Format	Example
Month-Day-Year	January 1, 2023
Day-Month-Year	1 January 2023
Year-Month-Day	2023-01-01

Ordinal Indicators for Writing Dates in Words

Day	Ordinal Indicator
1	st
2	nd
3	rd
4-20	th
21	st
22	nd
23	rd
24-30	th
31	st

Ordinal Numbers In Words For Dates Of Birth Up to 31

Ordinal Number	Written Form
1st	first
2nd	second
3rd	third
4th	fourth
5th	fifth
6th	sixth
7th	seventh
8th	eighth
9th	ninth
10th	tenth
11th	eleventh
12th	twelfth
13th	thirteenth
14th	fourteenth
15th	fifteenth
16th	sixteenth
17th	seventeenth
18th	eighteenth
19th	nineteenth
20th	twentieth
21st	twenty-first
22nd	twenty-second
23rd	twenty-third
24th	twenty-fourth
25th	twenty-fifth
26th	twenty-sixth
27th	twenty-seventh
28th	twenty-eighth
29th	twenty-ninth
30th	thirtieth
31st	thirty-first

Different Formats for Writing Date of Birth in Words

The format for writing dates in words can vary depending on the country or region. Here are some of the most common formats:

Month-Day-Year (MDY)

In the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, the most common format for writing dates in words is Month-Day-Year. For example, January 1st, 2023 would be written as “January 1, 2023.”

Day-Month-Year (DMY)

In most countries outside of the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, the Day-Month-Year format is used. For example, January 1st, 2023 would be written as “1 January 2023.”

Year-Month-Day (YMD)

The Year-Month-Day format is often used in computer programming and other technical contexts. For example, January 1st, 2023 would be written as “2023-01-01.”

Formal vs. Informal Writing

In formal writing, it’s generally recommended to write out the full name of the month and to include the ordinal indicator (e.g. “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th”) after the day. For example, “January 1st, 2023” is more appropriate for a formal document than “Jan 1, 2023.” However, in informal writing, such as in emails or personal notes, abbreviations, and less formal language can be used.

Tips for Writing Date of Birth in Words

When writing dates in words, there are some important tips to keep in mind to avoid confusion and ensure clarity:

Capitalization

The first letter of the month should always be capitalized. For example, “January” instead of “January.” The rest of the letters should be lowercase.

Ordinal Indicators

When writing the day, it’s important to include the correct ordinal indicator (e.g. “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th”). For example, February 1st, 2023 should be written as “February 1st, 2023.”

Commas

Commas should be used to separate the day, month, and year. For example, “January 1st, 2023” instead of “January 1st 2023” or “January 1st 23.”

Punctuation

A period is not needed at the end of a date written in words. For example, “February 1st, 2023” instead of “February 1st, 2023.”

Consistency

It’s important to be consistent in the format used for writing dates in words. For example, if you start with the Month-Day-Year format, all subsequent dates should also be written in that format.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing dates in words can be a source of confusion if the rules are not followed correctly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Abbreviations Incorrectly

When writing dates in words, it’s important to use abbreviations correctly. For example, “Jan” should be used for January, “Feb” for February, and so on. Using the wrong abbreviation can cause confusion and make the date harder to read.

Omitting the Ordinal Indicator

Leaving out the ordinal indicator (e.g. “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th”) after the day can also cause confusion. For example, writing “February 1, 2023” instead of “February 1st, 2023” can make it unclear whether the day is supposed to be the 1st or the 2nd.

Inconsistent Formats

Using different formats for writing dates in words within the same document or context can also cause confusion. It’s important to be consistent in the format used to avoid ambiguity.

Incorrect Spelling

Misspelling the name of the month or using incorrect grammar can also lead to confusion when writing Date of Birth in Words. Always double-check the spelling and grammar before finalizing the date.

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Example – Date of Birth in Words 1994, 1997, 1999

Date of Birth in Words 1994

Nineteen ninety-four is the written form of the year 1994. Therefore, if someone was born in 1994, their date of birth in words would be written as follows:

On the tenth of June, nineteen ninety-four, John Smith was born.

In this example, the ordinal number “tenth” is used for the day of the month, and “June” is used for the month. The year, “nineteen ninety-four,” is written out in words. This format can be used for writing dates of birth, as well as other types of dates and anniversaries.

Date of Birth in Words 1997

Nineteen ninety-seven is the written form of the year 1997. Therefore, if someone was born in 1997, their date of birth in words would be written as follows:

On the first of July, nineteen ninety-seven, Michael Davis was born.

In this example, the ordinal number “first” is used for the day of the month, and “July” is used for the month. The year, “nineteen ninety-seven,” is written out in words. This format can be used for writing dates of birth, as well as other types of dates and anniversaries.

Date of Birth in Words 1999

Nineteen ninety-nine is the written form of the year 1999. Therefore, if someone was born in 1999, their date of birth in words would be written as follows:

On the third of September, nineteen ninety-nine, Emily Johnson was born.

In this example, the ordinal number “third” is used for the day of the month, and “September” is used for the month. The year, “nineteen ninety-nine,” is written out in words. This format can be used for writing dates of birth, as well as other types of dates and anniversaries.

Conclusion

Writing the Date of Birth in Words is a common practice in many countries, but it can be a source of confusion if the rules are not followed correctly. By using the appropriate format, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling, you can ensure clarity and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re writing a formal document or a personal note, following these guidelines will help ensure that your dates are understood correctly.

FAQs About Date of Birth in Words