the first of august

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first of August" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific date, often in formal or written contexts such as letters, invitations, or official documents. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for the first of August, so please mark your calendars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

From the first of August to the end of June, 535 civilians were murdered.

The New Yorker

"We have had no rain to speak of since the first of August," said Richard Olsen-Harbich, managing director and winemaker at the Raphael winery in Peconic.

The New York Times - Food

"Most people have come to accept that school starts the first of August, not the first of September," said Jocelyn Whitfield, director of government relations for the Georgia Association of Educators, which represents public education employees.

The New York Times

"On the first of August [the opposition education spokesman] Christopher Pyne says it's a con and it's a cut in funding, and on the second of August they say no, actually we're going to do this plan," Shorten said.

The Guardian

The students were telling the mullahs to do their stuff, and the mullahs were saying 'right on.' About the first of August, a mixed group of workers and students occupied the home of the most prominent local religious leader, Ayatollah Khademi.

The New Yorker

What to make of this Beltway story that bridged the last days of July and the first of August? 1.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The first of September?

Independent

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

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the first of august" in formal writing, ensure consistency with other dates in the document. Choose a format (e.g., "the first of august", "august 1st", or "1 august") and stick to it.

Common error

Avoid mixing date formats within the same document. For example, don't use "the first of august" in one sentence and "august 1" in another, as this can appear unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first of august" functions as a temporal designator, specifically identifying a particular date. Ludwig's examples show it used in diverse contexts to mark events, deadlines, or schedules. It commonly specifies when something occurred, will occur, or is planned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first of august" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote the specific date of august 1st. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "august first" exist, "the first of august" offers a degree of formality suitable for professional and academic writing. For best practices, maintain date format consistency within your documents. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "the first of august" and broader references like "the beginning of august" for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

august first

This is a more concise and informal way of expressing the same date.

the first day in august

Similar to 'the first of august' but with a slightly different word order.

august 1st

Uses the ordinal number in a more direct format.

on august 1

A shorter and more direct way to state the date.

the beginning of august

This refers to the general timeframe rather than a specific date.

the start of august

Similar to 'the beginning of august', indicating the initial period.

at the beginning of august

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the start of the month.

early august

This denotes a period within the first few days of august.

the initial day of august

A more descriptive and slightly formal way to refer to the date.

by august 1st

Indicates a deadline or timeframe leading up to that date.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "the first of august"?

You can use alternatives like "august first", "august 1st", or "early august depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "the 1st of august" instead of "the first of august"?

Yes, "the 1st of august" is also correct and commonly used, although "the first of august" is generally considered more formal.

What is the difference between "the beginning of august" and "the first of august"?

"The beginning of august" refers to a general period around the start of the month, while "the first of august" refers to a specific date: august 1st.

When should I use "the first of august" instead of just "august"?

Use "the first of august" when you need to specify a particular date. If you are referring to the month in general, simply use "august".