Written Date Formats Around the World

Katie Almeida Spencer
Post by Katie Almeida Spencer
Originally published February 23, 2016, updated September 25, 2020
Written Date Formats Around the World

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

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For example, this statement is confusing:

Third quarter production reports are due from all global regions by 2/10/16.

Does 2/10/16 mean:

  • February 10, 2016?
  • October 2, 2016?

What is the best way to express date formats for a global audience?

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

Katie Almeida Spencer
Post by Katie Almeida Spencer
Originally published February 23, 2016, updated September 25, 2020
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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