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Months in English

14.04.2025
3 minutes to read
Learning the names of the months in English is one of the first steps toward confident conversational skills.
Month names are used constantly in everyday speech — when planning meetings, talking about holidays, the weather, events, and much more.
In this article, you'll learn how to write all the months in English, how to abbreviate them correctly, use them in dates, and avoid confusion with prepositions and articles.
Everything is simple — when it’s explained clearly and in a human way!

Table of contents

The names of the months in English are very similar to those in many other languages, but they are written and pronounced differently. Most of them originate from Latin, making them easy to recognize for many learners.
For example, September and November might look tricky at first, but they’re actually quite simple to learn. The key is consistent practice and repetition.
In English, the months follow a fixed order:
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Learning them in order helps you stay organized when reading calendars or navigating English-language websites.
Some month names can be confusing to spell, especially for beginners.
For instance, learners often ask how to correctly write November or September. These words don’t always sound the way they’re spelled — a common challenge in English — so it's best to simply memorize them.
It’s also important to understand how months are used in context.
For example:
My birthday is in July.
We will travel in December.
Once you’ve learned all the months in English, you’ll find it easier to talk about the weather, make plans, schedule appointments, and discuss the seasons — all essential parts of everyday communication.

How to Understand and Use the Names of the Months in English

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.

How to Abbreviate Month Names in English

In English, many words are commonly shortened — and month names are no exception.
Abbreviations are especially useful in calendars, schedules, notes, or anywhere space is limited.
The key is knowing how to abbreviate months correctly to avoid simple mistakes.
The most widely used are standard three-letter abbreviations with a period at the end:
Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Jun., Jul., Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov., Dec.
Examples:
Deadline — Nov. 15
Trip — Aug. 2
Take note: May, June, and July are already short, so they’re sometimes written without a period.
However, for consistency in formal documents, it’s recommended to use the period for all abbreviations.
It’s also helpful to know that digital tools like spreadsheets, apps, and online calendars often use these short forms.
Without being familiar with them, it’s easy to get confused — especially if you’re not yet fully confident in spelling month names like November or September.
And what about Sep. vs Sept.?
Both are acceptable, but Sep. is more commonly used in American English.
Learning all month names in English — both full and abbreviated forms — will help you read and use any date format with ease and confidence.

How to Quickly Learn the Names of the Months in English

If you're just starting to learn English, the names of the months might seem a bit strange or hard to remember.
But don’t worry — there are simple and effective ways to memorize them quickly, even if you sometimes confuse how to spell November or forget how September is written.
The first thing you should do is learn the months in the correct order:
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Repeat them out loud every day, like a short rhyme — for example, in the morning while brushing your teeth, or on the way to school or work.
Associations work great too.
Try linking each month with a personal event or memory:
October — Halloween
March — the start of spring
July — summer vacation
This way, you’ll remember each month as an image, not just a word.
Flashcards can also be very helpful. Write the month in English on one side and an example or related image on the other. Flip them and test yourself until you recognize them instantly.
To strengthen your knowledge, write full sentences. For example:
My birthday is in April.
We have exams in June.
The more you use these words, the faster they become part of your active vocabulary.
And most importantly — don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Repetition and consistent practice are the keys to success!
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