American Date Format Guide

Write the Correct Date Format: August 31st, 2026 in American English Words

Learn how to write 31 August in American English with the correct month-day-year order, ordinal numbers, proper comma placement, and TOEFL writing tips.

Correct American Format
August 31st, 2026
Common Mistake (British Format)
31st August 2026

31st

Ordinal Form

Monday

Day of Week

August

Month

8

Month Number

243

Day of Year

08/31

Numeric US

Date Format Variations

FormatExampleUsage
American Written August 31st, 2026 Standard US format (month-day-year)
Casual American August 31, 2026 Informal writing (no ordinal)
Numeric US 08/31/2026 Short numeric format (MM/DD/YYYY)
ISO 8601 2026-08-31 International standard (YYYY-MM-DD)
With Day Name Monday, August 31st, 2026 When specifying the day of week
British Written 31st August 2026 British format (not US)

How to Write 31 August in American English

1

Start with the Month

Write the full month name: August. In American English, the month always comes first.

2

Add the Day with Ordinal

Follow with the day in ordinal form: 31st. Last digit 1 uses "st".

3

Add Comma before Year

Place a comma after the day: , 2026. The comma is required in American format.

4

Complete the Format

Result: August 31st, 2026. Memorize: Month + Ordinal Day + Comma + Year.

Final result: August 31st, 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake TypeWrong FormatProblem
British format 31st August 2026 Puts day first, which is British style, not American
Missing comma August 31st 2026 American format requires comma before year
Missing ordinal August 31, 2026 Missing the ordinal suffix (st, nd, rd, th)
Abbreviated month Aug 31st, 2026 Use full month name in formal writing

Interactive Writing Practice

Type the date August 31st, 2026 correctly below:

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Hint: Start with the month name, then the ordinal day, then a comma, then the year. American format = Month-Day-Year with comma!
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Quick Reference Guide

🇺🇸

American Format

Month + Day + Year
August 31st, 2026
🇬🇧

British Format

Day + Month + Year
31st August 2026
🌍

ISO Format

Year-Month-Day
2026-08-31

Grammar Rules: American vs British Date Format

American English

  • Month before day
  • Ordinal numbers used
  • Comma after day
  • "The" not standard
  • Full month preferred

August 31st, 2026

British English

  • Day before month
  • Ordinal numbers used
  • No comma
  • "The" before ordinal (formal)
  • Full month preferred

31st August 2026

Ordinal Number Rules

1 → 1st
2 → 2nd
3 → 3rd
4 → 4th
5 → 5th
6 → 6th
7 → 7th
8 → 8th
9 → 9th
10 → 10th
11 → 11th
12 → 12th
13 → 13th
14 → 14th
15 → 15th
16 → 16th
17 → 17th
18 → 18th
19 → 19th
20 → 20th
21 → 21st
22 → 22nd
23 → 23rd
24 → 24th
25 → 25th
26 → 26th
27 → 27th
28 → 28th
29 → 29th
30 → 30th
31 → 31st

American Date Format Variations

Formal Writing

August 31st, 2026

Used in essays, reports, official documents

Casual Writing

August 31, 2026

Used in emails, letters, casual writing

Numerical US

08/31/2026

Used in forms, databases, quick notes

TOEFL Writing Tips

Master American date format for your TOEFL exam. Consistency is key to a high score.

Always use the Month + Day + Year order in American English for TOEFL.
Use full month names (e.g., August) instead of abbreviations.
Include the ordinal suffix (31st) and a comma before the year.
Be consistent throughout your essay — don't switch between American and British formats.
Avoid numerical dates (08/31/2026) in formal TOEFL essays — always write the month name.

TOEFL Example Sentences

Independent Writing

"Since August 31st, 2026, technology has transformed education."
"By August 31st, 2026, this trend will continue."

Integrated Writing

"The lecture discusses events from August 31st, 2026."
"Data collected on August 31st, 2026 supports this claim."

Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the correct American English format for 31 August 2026?

2. Which punctuation mark is required in American date format?

3. What order does American English use for dates?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write "31 August" in American English?
The correct American English format for "31 August" is "August 31st, 2026". This follows the American pattern of Month + Day + Year, with ordinal numbers for the day (31st) and a comma before the year.
Why do I need a comma in "August 31st, 2026"?
In American English, the comma is required between the day and year to separate the date elements clearly. This is a standard punctuation rule that distinguishes American format from British format, which doesn't use a comma.
Can I write "Aug" instead of "August"?
In formal writing, especially for TOEFL and academic purposes, it's better to use the full month name "August" rather than the abbreviation "Aug". Full names are more professional and clear in formal contexts.
What's wrong with writing "31st August 2026"?
"31st August 2026" is the British English format, which puts the day first. For American English and TOEFL, you should use "August 31st, 2026" with the month first. The British format also doesn't use a comma, which is required in American format.
How important is date format consistency in TOEFL writing?
Consistency is very important in TOEFL writing. Choose the American format ("August 31st, 2026") and use it throughout your entire essay. Mixing formats can confuse readers and may affect your coherence and cohesion score.

Month Names & Pronunciation (US)

Learn how to pronounce each month with correct American English phonetics:

January
/ˈdʒænjuˌɛri/
February
/ˈfɛbruˌɛri/
March
/mɑrtʃ/
April
/ˈeɪprəl/
May
/meɪ/
June
/dʒun/
July
/dʒuˈlaɪ/
August
/ˈɔɡəst/
September
/sɛpˈtɛmbər/
October
/ɑkˈtoʊbər/
November
/noʊˈvɛmbər/
December
/dɪˈsɛmbər/

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