Pronunciation of dates

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

Are these the correct pronunciations?

1. "It is the twenty fourth of September." ("It is 24 September)
2. "It is September the twenty-fourth." ("It is September 24")

 

[emsr2d2]

Are these the correct pronunciations?

1. "It is the twenty-fourth of September." ("It is 24 September.")
2. "It is September the twenty-fourth." ("It is September 24.")

In BrE, yes.

 

[Rachel Adams]

In BrE, yes.

But in BrE the number is written first. Am I right?
In the first example, "the" and "of" are pronounced but not written and I could write "th" it is optional, isn't it?

 

[Rover_KE]

But in BrE the number is written first. Am I right? In BrE, both forms are used freely. In AmE, it's almost compulsory to write the month first.

In the first example, "the" and "of" are pronounced but not written and I could write "24th". "th" is optional, isn't it?

Yes.

 

[GoesStation]

I wouldn't say that about American practice. We usually say the month first, but the other order is fine.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes.

1. "It is the twenty fourth of September." Here "the" should be pronounced but in #2 it is optional, isn't it?
2. "It is September the twenty-fourth." Or "It is September twenty-fourth." If it is so, is it BrE or AmE usage?

 

[GoesStation]

With respect, Rachel, there are much more important things to study. Nobody will care if you insert "the", or leave it out.

Remember to hyphenate numbers like twenty-fourth.

 

[PeterCW]

1. "It is the twenty fourth of September." Here "the" should be pronounced but in #2 it is optional, isn't it?
2. "It is September the twenty-fourth." (BrE) Or "It is September twenty-fourth." (AmE) (If it is so, is it BrE or AmE usage?

I was taught to use the superscript "th" at school but it is normally omitted when typing. In writing I would only use it when referring to an event without writing the date in full. For example "...the band is touring the UK in June and will be appearing at the South Bank Centre on the 24th." My house style when I was editing was not to use superscript because it affected the line spacing in the magazine.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm getting a real sense of déjà vu here. It might not have been one of your threads, Rachel, but we've been down this "Do you write the date or the month first?" rabbit hole before! I'll try and settle it once and for all, as far as BrE goes.

In writing:
There is no rule as to whether the date or the month comes first.
There is no rule as to whether you use the superscript "th" etc.

When reading aloud:
If the date is written first, say the date first, and add "the" and "of".
If the month is written first, say the month first; you can add "the" between the two or you can omit it.

When speaking (not reading aloud):
There is no rule as to whether to give the date or the month first.
If you start with the date, use "the" and "of".
If you start with the month, you can use "the" before the date or you can omit it.

 

[GoesStation]

The question having been thoroughly and repeatedly answered, I'm closing this thread. Future threads asking the same question will be closed immediately.