Basic Rules for Writing the Names of the Months in English
In English, months aren’t just words that refer to seasons — they come with clear writing rules you need to know to use them correctly.
The first and most important rule: all months in English are written with a capital letter, no matter where they appear in a sentence.
Even if you're saying something like “I left in January,” in English it must be written as: I went in January — with a capital "J".
It’s also important to pay attention to the correct spelling. Some month names are quite long or unfamiliar.
Take November, for example — many people make spelling mistakes by forgetting letters.
Or September — both have two "e"s, and that's a common trap for learners.
Mistakes also happen when trying to abbreviate the months.
Some might think it’s enough to just cut off part of the word — but English has official abbreviations:
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, and so on.
These are convenient for notes, calendars, and headings.
But if you're writing an essay, a letter, or any formal text — it’s better to use the full names of the months.
A great way to practice spelling is to write a list of the months in order and copy them by hand. This helps build muscle memory.
You can also say them out loud — it improves pronunciation and retention.
Here’s a helpful tip: connect each month to a personal event in your life.
For example:
September — the beginning of the school year,
November — your brother’s birthday.
This way, you’ll remember not just the meaning, but also the spelling.
Regular practice, spelling mini-quizzes, and repetition will help you confidently master all the English month names — without mixing up letters or hesitating when writing.
Months Always Start with a Capital Letter
In English, the names of the months are considered proper nouns, which means they are always written with a capital letter.
This rule applies no matter where the word appears in a sentence — at the beginning, in the middle, or even after a comma.
Correct examples include: March, August, December — and there are no exceptions.
This is a detail many beginners overlook, especially when writing by hand or taking notes. But it's important to understand that native speakers notice this "small" mistake instantly.
So, if you want your English to look neat and confident — never use lowercase letters for month names.
It’s simple to remember: every month in English begins with a capital letter.
Even if you’re still unsure how to spell November or September, make sure the first letter is uppercase.
It may seem like a minor detail, but it makes your English much clearer and more polished.
How to Write the Month in a Date
When writing dates in English, it’s important to format the month correctly.
There are a few common variations worth remembering.
The most widely used is the American format: month + day + year.
Example: November 3, 2024.
The British format is different — day + month + year, like in many European languages: 3 November 2024.
In both cases, the month name is always capitalized.
You can also write dates numerically:
11/03/2024 in the U.S. or 03/11/2024 in the UK.
But in formal or academic writing, it’s better to use full month names.
It’s clearer, more understandable, and avoids confusion.
Want to write dates confidently?
Just learn all the months in English and practice using them in different formats.
It’ll be helpful in emails, planning, and travel.
Using Prepositions with Months
When talking or writing about months in English, it’s important to know
not just how they are spelled, but
which prepositions to use.
Here’s the simple rule:
- When you mention a month without a specific date, use in.
- Examples: in October, in May, in September
- When referring to a specific date, use on.
- Examples: on November 5, on July 21
The choice of preposition depends on the context — whether you’re talking about a general month or a precise day.
Also, don’t forget:
months always begin with a capital letter, even after a preposition.
Correct:
in December, not
in december.
Even if you're still unsure how to spell
November or
September, the most important thing is to
remember the prepositions and word order.
With that, your English will start to sound more natural and correct.