the second of august

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the second of August" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific date in a formal or literary context. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for the second of August, so please mark your calendars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"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

A: I started feeling the symptoms on the second of August, a Saturday: high fever, vomiting, and weakness.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Somebody with the red born-on-the-Fourth-of-July Steinbrenner blood, or some watery mix?

The New York Times - Sports

It's the second of December".

The New Yorker

"It will be up till the second of October.

The New Yorker

The rainy season starts from the second of June and continues till September.

Applied Water Science

"Well I expect what it really means is we'll pay on the second of December".

BBC

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

The New Yorker

Michael Brown was killed on the ninth of August.

Huffington Post

"And then on the first of August, the Communists freed food prices.

Huffington Post

The first of September?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the second of August" in formal writing where a precise and clear date is needed. This format is unambiguous and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using informal date formats in formal documents. Stick to "the second of August" or "August 2nd" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the second of August" functions as a temporal specifier, indicating a specific date. Ludwig identifies its usage in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to personal narratives, serving to pinpoint events in time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the second of August" serves as a specific temporal marker, predominantly utilized in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, to denote a particular date. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and, while not exceedingly common, provides clarity and precision in formal communications. Alternative phrasing options, such as "August second" or "the 2nd of August", offer similar meaning with slight variations in formality and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

August 2

More colloquial way to write dates, especially in the US.

August second

This alternative uses a more common and concise phrasing for expressing the date.

On august 2nd

Another valid way to specify the date.

The 2nd of august

This is a shortened, numerical version of the date with the ordinal indicator.

August the second

This version reverses the standard order, putting the month first.

Second august

This option omits "of" for a more concise but less formal style.

Two august

A straightforward but less common version of expressing the date.

The beginning of august

This phrase indicates a time frame around the second of August, rather than the specific date.

Early august

A more general reference to the early part of the month.

Around august 2

Indicates an approximate date near the second of August.

FAQs

How to use "the second of August" in a sentence?

You can use "the second of August" to specify a particular date in formal contexts. For example, "The conference will commence on the second of August".

What can I say instead of "the second of August"?

Alternatives include "August second", "the 2nd of August", or simply "August 2" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the second of August" or "august the second"?

"The second of August" is the standard and more commonly accepted format. "August the second" is less conventional but understandable.

What's the difference between "the second of August" and "early august"?

"The second of August" refers to a specific date, whereas "early August" indicates a period of time at the beginning of the month.