month

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "month" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a time period that is approximately one-twelfth of a year or when referring to a specific month. For example, you might say, "We will need to finish the project by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I spent the month of August at home training hard with no racing, then I did a couple of races in Stockholm and the US.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Come August, it'll be toast, but this month it's fun.

The Guardian - Tech

Wikipedia relies on about 70,000 people each month who edit the articles for a worldwide readership.

The Guardian

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

The traffic reduction project This article is part of the Live Better Community Project month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In addition, the Committee intends to purchase a further $600 billion of longer-term Treasury securities by the end of the second quarter of 2011, a pace of about $75 billion per month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Lady Warsi, who resigned from the government in August over Gaza, delivered a blistering critique last month of the approach towards Britain's Muslims, warning that failure to engage properly with communities across the UK has created a climate of suspicion and undermined the fight against extremism.

The Guardian

This month, the Portuguese government agreed with the main opposition party on more austerity measures to cut its deficit faster than planned, to 4.6 percent of Portugal's gross domestic product next year from 9.4 percent last year.

The New York Times

More detailed cutbacks will be announced in a new budget next month.

The New York Times

They were up 205% and 172% respectively on their three-month slot average.

The Guardian

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about specific dates, clearly indicate the "month" alongside the day and year to avoid ambiguity, especially in international contexts where date formats vary.

Common error

Avoid generalizing that every "month" has approximately 30 days. Remember that February has only 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years, which can affect calculations involving durations across "months".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "month" is that of a noun, representing a unit of time. As supported by Ludwig, it is typically used to denote a period within a year, as seen in examples like "July is my favourite month". It can also refer to a period of approximately 30 days.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "month" is a common noun used to define a period of time, typically one-twelfth of a year. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Usage spans from describing personal experiences, as in "July is my favourite month", to professional timelines, such as "We will need to finish the project by the end of the month". While versatile, it's crucial to be precise with the "month" when specifying dates or durations. Related phrases like "calendar month" offer nuanced alternatives. Understanding common errors, like overgeneralizing the length of February, helps to ensure clarity in writing. Overall, "month" is a fundamental term, widely employed in diverse communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calendar month

Specifically refers to a month as defined in the Gregorian calendar.

specified month

Indicates the exact monthly period.

particular month

Focuses on a definite or individual month.

monthly period

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the monthly cycle.

single month

Emphasizes the consideration of only one month.

thirty days

Focuses on the approximate duration of a month.

four weeks

Provides an alternative based on duration, approximately equivalent to a month.

period of weeks

Highlights a segment of time that comprises several weeks.

short-term

Highlights the relatively brief time frame of a month.

moon cycle

Refers to the lunar cycle which historically influenced the concept of a month.

FAQs

How is the term "month" typically used in a sentence?

The term "month" is commonly used to specify durations or periods within a year. For example, "The project will be completed within a month". You can also refer to a specific "month", such as "January is the first month of the year".

What are some synonyms for "month" that I can use to vary my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "calendar month" to emphasize a standard period, or "monthly period" to highlight a recurring cycle.

Is it correct to say 'a month' or 'one month,' and when should I use each?

Both 'a month' and 'one month' are grammatically correct. 'A month' is more common in general usage, while 'one month' might be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts to highlight a specific duration.

What is the difference between saying "next month" and "in a month"?

"Next month" refers to the month immediately following the current one. "In a month" indicates a period of one month from now, regardless of which month it is. For example, if it's currently mid-July, "next month" is August, while "in a month" means mid-August.