Dates & Times

Days of the Week

Always spell out days of the week in formal and/or running text, even when preceding a date. You can take a more flexible approach with events calendars and lists as needed.

Graduation Dates

In running text, when referring to a graduation year, use all four digits. When you need to abbreviate the year, use the final two digits of the graduation year, or expected graduation year, preceded by an apostrophe, and enclose the year in parentheses. For print publications, be sure the apostrophe is headed in the correct direction; the straight quote is acceptable, and often preferred, online.

  • Grace Note, who graduated in 2024 with a double major in dance and music, was the guest performer.
  • Art Alex (’23) won the department’s award for most creative undergraduate project.

Inclusive Dates & Times

Use an en dash for continuing or inclusive numbers. Do not substitute the dash with a hyphen, and do not use a dash as a substitute for the word to.

  • The 2023–24 academic year concluded with fair-weather graduation ceremonies.
  • She taught in the chemistry department from 2000 to 2012.
    • Not: 2000–2012 ´Ç°ùÌı2000–12
  • The Alumni Association event lasts from 8 to 10 a.m.

Months of the Year

Abbreviate months only when accompanied with a date. Spell out the month if it stands alone or with the year only.

  • The first day of fall classes is Aug. 28.
  • Her study abroad program begins in February.
  • He graduated in December 2024.

As appropriate, follow The AP Stylebook for month abbreviations:

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • Aug.
  • Sept.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.

Ordering Time, Day & Date

In running text, the proper order for logistical information is time, day, date, followed by the location. In display or list format, it may be preferred to order day, date, time. No comma is needed after the time in the preferred style.

  • The concert begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24.

Punctuation

No comma is needed between a month and a year. Commas are required before and after a year when month, date and year are used. Set off a date in commas when it is preceded by the day of the week.

  • She began her studies in September 2019 and completed them in May 2023.
  • She began her studies on Sept. 1, 2019, and completed them on May 12, 2023.
  • She began class Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Eaton Humanities Building.

Time

Use figures with a.m. or p.m. (lowercase letters) to indicate specific times. Use noonÌı²¹²Ô»åÌı³¾¾±»å²Ô¾±²µ³ó³Ù in place of 12 p.m. and 12 a.m., respectively, for clarity. Avoid including minutes for times on the hour (8 a.m. not 8:00 a.m.)

  • The lecture will begin at 2 p.m.
  • The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m.
  • We will meet from noon to 3 p.m.
  • Class runs from 9 to 10:15 a.m.

Years

Use an s without an apostrophe to indicate spans of decades or centuries.

  • The 1800s
  • The ’80s

Use the correct placement for A.D. and B.C. (all caps).

  • Hannibal died in 183 B.C.
  • King George IV died in A.D. 1830.