month to date

USAGE SUMMARY

"month to date" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the period of time from the beginning of the current month up until the present day. Example: "The company's profit for the month to date has exceeded all expectations." This sentence means that the company's profit over the course of the current month so far has been better than expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The Dow is up 5.9 percent in the month to date, defying skeptics who predicted a decline in September, which is historically a weak month for stocks.

The New York Times

The BBC's iPlayer service has recorded its biggest month to date after receiving 315 million TV and radio programme requests in January.

BBC

Will I still be paid for the month to date?

The Guardian - Tech

But all three indexes are still down in the month to date.

The New York Times

The cover is £575 and the premium £10 a month — to date he's paid £1,020.

The Times

The average temperature there is about minus-1 this month to date.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

That put the number of new voters registered on the site in October, to date, at 240,329.

The Washington Post

In terms of GDD accumulation, 2018 was above average in May, below average in June and above average in July and August (to date).

Cornell University

The average temperature (day and night combined) for the UK this March to date is currently around 3C.

BBC

So he started a $10 million venture fund, Paradigm Blue Studentech, to back college-based businesses in November; to date he's raised $5 million.

Forbes

In fact, December 2016 was the company's all-time biggest sales month, followed by its most successful January to date.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "month to date" in reports or presentations, clearly specify the exact date of the report to avoid ambiguity about the end point of the period being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "month to date" when you actually mean "year to date". "Month to date" refers only to the current month, while "year to date" refers to the period from January 1st to the current date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "month to date" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs or nouns to specify a timeframe. It indicates that the information being presented covers the period from the beginning of the current month up to and including the current date, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "month to date" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the period from the beginning of the current month up to the present day. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence across various sources. It is frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to provide a clear timeframe for reporting data. When using "month to date", ensure clarity about the ending date, and avoid confusing it with "year to date". Remember that clarity and precision in specifying timeframes are critical for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mo to date

Abbreviated form; less formal.

Since the start of the month

Emphasizes the starting point of the period.

From the 1st of the month

More explicit about the beginning of the period.

This month so far

Highlights that the period is ongoing.

Current month's figures

Focuses on numerical data within the specified timeframe.

The month's progress

Highlights that the period is still in progress.

The running monthly total

Refers to a cumulative count throughout the month.

Year to date (YTD) adjusted monthly

Places into a yearly context.

This month until now

Reiterates the inclusive nature of the period until the present.

The portion of the month elapsed

Emphasizes the fraction of the month that has passed.

FAQs

How do I use "month to date" in a sentence?

Use "month to date" to describe cumulative data or activities from the beginning of the current month up to the present day. For example, "Our sales for the "month to date" are 15% higher than last month".

What is an alternative to saying "month to date"?

Alternatives include "since the start of the month" or "this month so far". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "month to date" the same as "year to date"?

No, "month to date" refers to the period from the beginning of the current month to the present day, while "year to date" refers to the period from January 1st to the present day. Don't confuse "month to date" with year to date.

Can I use "month to date" in formal writing?

Yes, "month to date" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business, finance, and reporting contexts. It's a clear and concise way to refer to a specific time period.