suffixes - Is it correct to omit number suffix on dates?


If I have a date written: Saturday 16 December is it correct ?


Or does the grammar oblige me to add the number suffix to 16 making 16th as in: Saturday 16th December ?



Answer



It is a matter of house style. Some publications will have the style explicitly set out in a standards document. For example, both the Guardian and Wikipedia standardise on not writing the number suffix in dates.


If you are writing for a magazine/etc. copy what other material in that organ does (or, trust subeditors to shape your words into their house style).


If you are in full control, pick a standard, and stick to it.


If you are writing dialogue, consider writing the exact words the person would say, in full -- so that the reader, or an actor, will say the words you had in mind.



The third of March



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