AP Style dictates specific rules for writing dates to maintain consistency and clarity. This includes using numerals for dates without ordinal suffixes and following guidelines for abbreviating months and referring to decades.
How To Write Dates in AP Style
According to AP Style, you should not use ordinal numbers for dates. You should always use figures or numerals (i.e. without st, nd, th, or rd).
For example,
• July 10th (Wrong)
• July 10 (Correct)
Furthermore, if a specific date is mentioned, then you can abbreviate the following months.
• Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.
However, March, April, May, June and July should not be abbreviated.
For example,
1. Today is Friday, Feb. 3, 2017
2. It’s February 2017
3. July 3, 2017
4. Dec. 4
5. January is one of my favorite months.
Furthermore, you cannot use an apostrophe in references like 1900s or 1600s etc. However, an apostrophe is only needed in the references like ‘90s or ‘80s.
For example,
• The decade of the Gregorian calendar began in the 1900s.
• The ‘80s were the famous time because it was about peace and love.
When to Use Figures for Dates in AP Style
In AP Style, dates should always be written using figures, without the addition of ordinal indicators like “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th.” For example, you should write “July 10” instead of “July 10th.”
The use of figures ensures clarity and consistency in written content. Additionally, when referring to months with specific days, abbreviate months like January, February, August, September, October, November, and December only when the day is included. For example:
- Correct: “The event is scheduled for Dec. 5.”
- Incorrect: “The event is scheduled for Dec. 5th.”
When a specific date is mentioned, always use figures for the day of the month, and keep the month and year in full form unless the month is abbreviated according to AP rules.
Formatting Date Ranges in AP Style
When writing date ranges in AP Style, the format should remain straightforward, avoiding unnecessary words or punctuation. If referencing a range of dates that includes months, use the full names or abbreviations where applicable, but without adding extra words. There are several rules to follow:
Use an en dash (–) between the start and end dates, without spaces around it.
- For example: “The conference will run from June 1–5.”
If referencing a year or a range of years, do not add extra words like “from” or “to” unless necessary.
- For example: “The company was founded in 2000–2005.”
When the start and end years are the same, only include the year in the range.
- For example: “The event takes place July 5–7, 2023.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Dates
There are several common mistakes that writers often make when following AP Style for dates. Here are some to watch out for:
- Using ordinal numbers: AP Style strictly avoids the use of ordinal numbers (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) when writing dates. Always use the numeral without a suffix, such as “July 4” instead of “July 4th.”
- Abbreviating months incorrectly: Not all months should be abbreviated. AP Style allows for the abbreviations of January, February, August, September, October, November, and December when a specific date is mentioned, but March, April, May, June, and July should never be abbreviated.
- Correct: “Feb. 14”
- Incorrect: “Febuary 14”
- Incorrect handling of decades: When writing about decades or centuries, avoid using an apostrophe unless referring to a shortened form, like “the ’90s.” For example:
- Correct: “The 1990s were a transformative decade.”
- Incorrect: “The 1900’s were a transformative decade.”
- Including unnecessary commas in date ranges: When writing date ranges, do not include commas or words like “from” or “to” unless needed.
- Correct: “The exhibit will run from June 1 to June 5.”
- Incorrect: “The exhibit will run from June 1, to June 5.”
Check Out: How Do We Write Numbers In AP Style?
What Did You Learn?
From using numerals without ordinal suffixes to knowing when and how to abbreviate months, following these guidelines ensures your writing aligns with journalistic standards.