Meaning & use
months spelled out
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The twelve months of the year written in full letters rather than abbreviated or in numbers.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; the verb 'spell out' means to write or say all the letters of a word.
Patterns
- write the months spelled out
- say the months spelled out
In formal letters, write the months spelled out: January, February, March, and so on.
The teacher asked us to list the months spelled out, not as numbers like 1/12.
phrasefixed phrase
The act of saying or writing each month's name in full, especially for clarity in forms or documents.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'write', 'type', or 'say'.
Patterns
- have the months spelled out
- with the months spelled out
Please ensure all dates have the months spelled out to avoid confusion between day and month.
The contract requires the months spelled out in words, not digits.
Common combinations
- write the months spelled out
- When filling out the visa application, write the months spelled out, e.g., 'January' not 'Jan.'
- months spelled out in full
- The style guide says to use months spelled out in full in the body of the text.
- spell out the months
- Can you spell out the months for me? I always forget how to write February.
- months spelled out with capital letters
- In English, months spelled out with capital letters are standard, unlike in some other languages.
Synonyms and how they differ
- full month names
- This is a near-synonym but emphasizes the complete name rather than the act of spelling; 'months spelled out' often focuses on the writing process.
Opposites
Word family
- spell out phrasal verb
- To write or say the letters of a word in order.
- spelled adjective
- Written or said letter by letter; often used in 'spelled out'.
Commonly confused: months spelled out or month's?
months spelled out vs month's
Month's is the possessive form of 'month' (e.g., 'a month's salary'). 'Months' is the plural. 'Months spelled out' uses the plural.
Practice
In which situation would you most likely need the months spelled out?
Choose one answer.
Official forms often require months spelled out to avoid ambiguity (e.g., 01/02 could mean January 2 or February 1). Informal notes usually use numbers or abbreviations.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “months spelled out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.