december

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "december" is not correct in written English as it should be capitalized as "December." You can use it when referring to the twelfth month of the year in any context related to time, events, or holidays.
Example: "We are planning a family gathering in December to celebrate the holidays."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

In contrast, consumer confidence in the US is rising; for example, the Conference Board's consumer confidence index was up from 40.9 in October, to 55.2 in November to 64.5 in December.

The Guardian - Opinion

Worth 8m kronor each, the Nobel prizes are always handed out on 10 December, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.

The Guardian

April to December (for wildebeest) Book it: Tribes (01728 685971; tribes.co.uk) has a 10-night trip to Botswana, taking in Moremi, Chobe and Makgadikgadi, from £2,670, including accommodation, all meals, transfers and activities.

The Guardian - Travel

Trial is scheduled to continue through 19 December.

The Guardian

Shelbie Brooke Richards, who pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy and concealing the crime by lying to police, faces eight years in prison at sentencing on 16 April.

The Guardian

Arsenal fans also delighted in his on-field berating of Özil following the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City last December; Özil had made straight for the dressing room, and not the travelling supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

The Guardian

Another witness was a British man who was supposed to join Richard Reid in a shoe-bomb attack in December 2001 but who quit the conspiracy during a trip home after his parents warned him that he better not be a terrorist.

The Guardian

In December 2014, the company rolled out improvements to its blocking function, and began letting users report abuse directed at others, as well as themselves.

The Guardian - Tech

There have been regular incidents involving Serbian clubs in European competition and in December 2012 England's under-21 match ended in chaos with players being attacked on the pitch amid accusations of racism.

The Guardian - Sport

December 2006: The Times claimed the investigation could widen to include possible charges on perverting the course of justice, with some individuals suspected of colluding over evidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, avoid abbreviations of "December" such as "Dec.". Spell it out fully for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid writing "december" in your sentences. It is incorrect because months are proper nouns and must always begin with a capital letter.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "December" is that of a proper noun, specifically identifying the twelfth month of the year. As Ludwig AI points out, using lowercase "december" is incorrect in written English. The examples Ludwig provides showcase its role in specifying dates, events, and timeframes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Travel

9%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "December" is a proper noun designating the twelfth month of the year. It's crucial to remember that it must always be capitalized. As per Ludwig AI, writing "december" is grammatically incorrect. While highly frequent across various sources, including News & Media, Travel, and Sport, it maintains a neutral register. Common errors include forgetting to capitalize the word. Remember to use "December" to specify dates and timeframes accurately, and avoid using the abbreviated form, "Dec.", in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The month of December

Adds specificity by explicitly stating "month", emphasizing the temporal aspect.

December month

Reorders the words, keeping the meaning intact but sounds less common.

Christmas time

Focuses on the holiday most associated with December, narrowing the scope.

The yuletide season

Replaces with a more festive term associated with Christmas traditions.

Winter's onset

Shifts focus to the beginning of winter, which often occurs in December.

End of year

Highlights December as the conclusion of the calendar year.

The holiday season

Broadens to include all holidays celebrated in December.

The final month of the year

Elaborates the temporal position of December within the annual cycle.

Twelfth month

Uses the ordinal number to refer to the month.

The heart of winter

Describes December in terms of its seasonal context in many regions.

FAQs

How should "December" be capitalized in a sentence?

Always capitalize "December" as it's a proper noun. For example: "The meeting is scheduled for December 15th."

What are some alternative ways to refer to December?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the month of December", "the holiday season", or "the end of the year".

Is it correct to abbreviate "December" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it's best to spell out "December" fully. Abbreviations like "Dec." are more suitable for informal contexts.

What distinguishes "December" from other months in terms of common themes or associations?

"December" is often associated with holidays, winter, and the end of the calendar year, setting it apart from other months with their unique themes.