Definite Article Usage – Should One Put the Definite Article Before a Date?

datesdefinite-article

In the following examples, should the definite article "the" be present?

This article will discuss all journal articles on the subject written between [the] 3rd December 2010 and [the] 20 January 2011.

On [the] 6th May 2013, three men were selected for a special mission.

Best Answer

You should only use "the" if you also put "of" between the date and the month:

  • "...between the 3rd of December, 2010, and..."

  • "On the 6th of May, 2013, three men..."

Also note the placement of the commas around the year, a pretty strict standard if you include the date. Of course, the European format doesn't take commas, or "the," or "of":

  • "...between 3 December 2010 and..."

  • "On 6 May 2013, three men..."

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