the first of September

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first of September" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific date, typically in formal or written contexts. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for the first of September, so please mark your calendars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"Let's have another talk around the first of September".

The New York Times

Then, about the first of September, they started to fall on their face, to die like crazy.

The New York Times

It went into the shops on the first of September and six weeks later it was the bestselling game in the UK.

Independent

But Joseph Gresko, a spokesman for Mayor Joseph P. Ganim of Bridgeport, said Mr. Chapman had accepted the job and would probably begin around the first of September.

The New York Times

"I feel very comfortable with our plan," General Odierno said on "Fox News Sunday" last week, "and unless something unforeseen and disastrous happens, I fully expect us to be at 50,000 by the first of September".

The New York Times

The first of September is traditionally when leases start or expire for off-campus housing here, and students moving in often claim the couches, beds and other material left behind.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

What happened around the first of July?

The Economist

The first of January is the vital date for us.

The New York Times

"I thought it was the first of April," Benitez said.

Independent

From Christmas Day till the first of February.

The New Yorker

Mince pies appearing in Waitrose on the first of November.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "the first of September" to clearly state a date, especially in contracts or official correspondence. It avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid mixing date formats within the same document. If you start with "the first of September", don't switch to "9/1/2025" later in the text. Choose one style and stick to it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first of September" functions primarily as a temporal designator, specifying a particular date. Examples in Ludwig show its use in scheduling events, noting deadlines, and marking historical occurrences. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first of September" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a specific date, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is primarily used in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure consistency in date formats. Alternatives include "September 1st" or "early September", depending on the context. Remember that using the phrase adds precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

September 1st

This is a more concise way to express the same date, using a numerical representation.

September the first

This alternative reorders the words while maintaining the same meaning.

1st of September

This version uses the numerical abbreviation for "first" but retains the same meaning.

on September 1

A shorter, more direct way of indicating the date.

early September

This refers to a period around the first of September rather than the specific date.

around September 1st

Specifies an approximate time near the first of September.

the beginning of September

This phrase indicates the initial part of September, including the first.

the start of September

Similar to 'the beginning of September', this refers to the early days of the month.

the initial day of September

A more formal and less common variation.

at the commencement of September

This uses more elevated language to refer to the start of the month.

FAQs

How can I use "the first of September" in a sentence?

You can use "the first of September" to specify a date in a formal context. For example, "The contract begins on "the first of September".".

What are some alternatives to saying "the first of September"?

Alternatives include "September 1st", "September the first", or "early September", depending on the level of precision required.

Is it correct to say "the 1st of September"?

Yes, "the 1st of September" is a correct and commonly used alternative to ""the first of September"".

What's the difference between "the first of September" and "early September"?

"The first of September" refers to a specific date, while "early September" refers to a period encompassing the first few days of the month, not necessarily the exact date.