May 8, 2006 00:10
18 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term
commas and dates (grammar)
English
Other
Linguistics
commas and dates
Would you write May 12 2002 (no comma) or May 12, 2002?
I've noticed the BBC uses no commas in dates (dates would be written: 12 May 2006 whereas American media generally do. I was wondering if there is a general rule for this and if you are aware of any differences using commas in American and Br Eng in this respect. Thanks!
I've noticed the BBC uses no commas in dates (dates would be written: 12 May 2006 whereas American media generally do. I was wondering if there is a general rule for this and if you are aware of any differences using commas in American and Br Eng in this respect. Thanks!
Responses
4 +7 | May 12, 2002 | Andrey Belousov (X) |
5 +3 | May 12, 2002 OR 12 May 2002 | JaneTranslates |
3 +4 | style specific | Craig Meulen |
3 +2 | the Guardian styleguide says... | Cilian O'Tuama |
Responses
+7
1 min
Selected
May 12, 2002
That's how I would do it
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+2
10 mins
the Guardian styleguide says...
dates
January 1 2000 (no commas)
It is occasionally alleged that putting month before date in this way is an "Americanisation"; in which case it should be pointed out that this has been our style since the first issue of the Manchester Guardian on May 5 1821
http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,,184835,00.html
January 1 2000 (no commas)
It is occasionally alleged that putting month before date in this way is an "Americanisation"; in which case it should be pointed out that this has been our style since the first issue of the Manchester Guardian on May 5 1821
http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,,184835,00.html
+3
2 hrs
May 12, 2002 OR 12 May 2002
Comma if month is first, no comma if day is first.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2006-05-08 02:30:07 GMT)
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, p. 49, section 2.2l:
Use a comma in a date whose order is month, day, and year. If such a date comes in the middle of a sentence, include a comma after the year. "Martin Luther King, Jr., was born on January 15, 1929, and died on April 4, 1968."
But commas are not used with dates whose order is day, month, and year. "Martin Luther, King, Jr., was born on 15 January 1929 and died on 4 April 1968."
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-05-08 02:30:07 GMT)
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, p. 49, section 2.2l:
Use a comma in a date whose order is month, day, and year. If such a date comes in the middle of a sentence, include a comma after the year. "Martin Luther King, Jr., was born on January 15, 1929, and died on April 4, 1968."
But commas are not used with dates whose order is day, month, and year. "Martin Luther, King, Jr., was born on 15 January 1929 and died on 4 April 1968."
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Suzan Hamer
4 hrs
|
Thank you, Suzan
|
|
agree |
juvera
: It makes sense to separate a bunch of numbers with a comma, but otherwise it is not necessary.
7 hrs
|
Thank you, juvera. I agree. I use the 12 May 2002 format regularly.
|
|
agree |
Balasubramaniam L.
7 hrs
|
Thank you, Balasubramaniam
|
+4
6 hrs
style specific
As we can see from two previous answerers, citing style guides, this is an area where individual publishers have their own style guide.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
William [Bill] Gray
: Yes, I think I would want to check with the client/writer/publisher.
5 mins
|
agree |
Brie Vernier
2 hrs
|
agree |
NancyLynn
13 days
|
agree |
Cilian O'Tuama
: (Years later :-) )
6569 days
|
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