When to Use 'In' or 'On' With a Date in Academic Settings: Best Practices for Clear Communication

When discussing academic dates, it can be confusing to decide whether to use 'in' or 'on'. The correct usage is determined by whether you need to specify a specific day. This article explains the correct usage and provides clarity for academic administrators, students, and educators.

Using 'On' With a Specific Day

The phrase 'on' is used when you specify a particular day of the month. For example, 'On March 10 is our last day of school.' and 'On March 10 is their graduation.' When naming a specific day of the month, always follow the rule:

Use 'March 10th': 'On March 10th' is the correct phrasing for a specific day.

General Usage of 'In' for Dates without Specific Days

When referring to dates in general, without specifying a precise day, use 'in' instead. Here are the instances:

'The new academic session will commence in March.' 'Neither. It’s 10th March 2021. Or 10–03–21.' 'In March if there’s no specific date. On March if there’s a specific date - e.g., on March 15th.'

Accepted Formats for Writing Dates

Dates can be written in different formats depending on the region and context. For American English, the format used without the day specified is:

The last way of writing is prevalent in the USA: 'March 10 2021.'

In England and India, all of the following are acceptable and commonly used formats:

10th March 2021 The 10th of March 2021 10th of March 2021

Clarifying Examples and Applications

Here's how to use 'in' and 'on' correctly in various academic scenarios:

When Commencing a New Session: If you are referring to the beginning of a new academic session but do not specify a day, use 'in'. Example: 'The new academic session will commence in March.' Commencing an Academic Session on a Specific Date: If you are referring to the beginning of a new academic session and specify a day, use 'on'. Example: 'The new academic session will commence on March 15th.' General Academic Communication: Avoid inconsistently mixing 'in' and 'on' unless you have the specific day to provide. Example: 'The course will run in March until April.'

Conclusion

This guide provides clear and concise advice on when to use 'in' and 'on' for date references in academic settings. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your communications are clear and professional. Remember, in March without a specific day is correct, but on March with a specific day should be used.