Formatting Dates Correctly for International Audiences

Katie Almeida Spencer
Post by Katie Almeida Spencer
Originally published February 23, 2016, updated October 11, 2024
Formatting Dates Correctly for International Audiences

Various global regions abbreviate dates differently, which can be very confusing when writing to global business colleagues or customers. 

Confusing statements

Third quarter production reports are due from all global regions by 2/10/24.

Does 2/10/24 mean:

  • February 10, 2024?
  • October 2, 2024?

Video explanation of how to write date formats for global readers

There are no firm business grammar rules, but there are logical best practices. This video will explain: 

 

Elevate global business writing in our Effective Business Writing for Non-Native Writers course.

Katie Almeida Spencer
Post by Katie Almeida Spencer
Originally published February 23, 2016, updated October 11, 2024
Katie is an experienced Business Writing and English as a Second Language instructor, business writing coach, and teacher trainer. She taught Business and Academic Writing at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

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