Welcome to Excel English, your trusted source for learning English online. Today, we’re going to talk about the months of the year in English. Knowing the months of the year is essential for everyday communication, whether you’re making plans, talking about the weather, or simply writing a date. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to the months of the year in English, including their spelling, pronunciation, and usage. So, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, read on to improve your English vocabulary and communication skills.
| Month | Origin | Pronunciation | Word Origin** | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Latin | /ˈdʒænjuəriː/ | Janus (Roman god of beginnings) | Named after the Roman god Janus, known for his two faces. |
| February | Latin | /ˈfɛbruːəriː/ | Februa (Roman goddess of purification) | The shortest month in the Gregorian calendar. |
| March | Latin | /mɑːrtʃ/ | Mars (Roman god of war) | Originally called Martius in the Roman calendar. |
| April | Latin | /ˈeɪprəl/ | Aprilis (Roman goddess of growth and rebirth) | April showers bring May flowers. |
| May | Latin | /meɪ/ | Maia (Roman goddess of fertility) | Named after the Roman goddess Maia. |
| June | Latin | /dʒuːn/ | Juno (Roman goddess of marriage) | Named after the Roman goddess Juno. |
| July | Latin | /ˈdʒuːlaɪ/ | Julius Caesar (Roman emperor) | Renamed in honor of Julius Caesar. |
| August | Latin | /ˈɔːɡəst/ | Augustus Caesar (Roman emperor) | Renamed in honor of Augustus Caesar. |
| September | Latin | /ˈsɛptɛmbər/ | From the Latin word “septem” meaning “seven” | Originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar. |
| October | Latin | /ˈɒktəʊbər/ | From the Latin word “octo” meaning “eight” | Originally the eighth month in the Roman calendar. |
| November | Latin | /noʊˈvɛmbər/ | From the Latin word “novem” meaning “nine” | Originally the ninth month in the Roman calendar. |
| December | Latin | /dɪˈsɛmbər/ | From the Latin word “decem” meaning “ten” | Originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar. |
I. Months in English
The Origin of the Names of the Months
The names of the months in English have a rich and varied history, with many of them deriving from Roman gods and goddesses. For example, January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, while March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. April is named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage.
| Month | Origin |
|---|---|
| January | Janus, the Roman god of beginnings |
| February | Februa, the Roman goddess of purification |
| March | Mars, the Roman god of war |
| April | Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty |
| May | Maia, the Roman goddess of fertility |
| June | Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage |
Spelling the Names of the Months
The spelling of the names of the months in English can be tricky, as there are many different ways to spell the same sound. For example, the month of September can be spelled as “September”, “Septr”, or “Sept”. The month of December can be spelled as “December”, “Decembr”, or “Dec”.Here are some tips for spelling the names of the months correctly:* Use a dictionary or online resource to check the spelling of the month.* Remember that the months of January, March, May, July, August, October, and December have 31 days.* The months of April, June, September, and November have 30 days.* The month of February has 28 days (or 29 days in a leap year).
Pronouncing the Names of the Months
The pronunciation of the names of the months in English can also be tricky, as there are many different ways to pronounce the same word. For example, the month of February can be pronounced as “February” or “Feb-you-ary”. The month of September can be pronounced as “September” or “Sep-tem-ber”.Here are some tips for pronouncing the names of the months correctly:* Listen to how native English speakers pronounce the months.* Use a dictionary or online resource to check the pronunciation of the month.* Practice pronouncing the months out loud.
II. Spelling the names of months
Tips for spelling the names of months
– Use a mnemonic device. For example, you can use the phrase “Thirty days hath September…” to help you remember the number of days in each month.- Pay attention to the spelling of the months that have silent letters. For example, the month of “February” has a silent “r” and the month of “August” has a silent “g”.- Use a spell checker. There are many free online spell checkers available, such as Google Docs or Grammarly.
Commonly misspelled months
| Month | Correct spelling | Common misspelling ||—|—|—|| September | September | Sepetember || February | February | Febuary || August | August | Agust || December | December | Demember || November | November | Novemeber |
Months that are often confused
| Month | Similar month ||—|—|| September | October || November | December || January | February |
III. Pronouncing the names of months
Tips for pronouncing the names of months
The names of the months in English can be tricky to pronounce, especially for non-native speakers. Here are a few tips to help you get them right:- **Pay attention to the stress.** The stress in a word is the syllable that is pronounced with the most emphasis. In the names of the months, the stress usually falls on the first syllable. For example, the stress is on the first syllable of “January” and “February.”- **Pronounce the vowels clearly.** The vowels in the names of the months are pronounced clearly and distinctly. For example, the “a” in “January” is pronounced like the “a” in “cat.”- **Don’t be afraid to exaggerate.** When you’re first learning to pronounce the names of the months, it’s helpful to exaggerate the sounds a bit. This will help you to get the hang of the pronunciation.
Common mistakes in pronouncing the names of months
Here are a few common mistakes that people make when pronouncing the names of the months:- **Pronouncing the “r” in “September.”** The “r” in “September” is silent. It should not be pronounced.- **Pronouncing the “u” in “February.”** The “u” in “February” is pronounced like the “oo” in “boot.” It should not be pronounced like the “u” in “cup.”- **Pronouncing the “y” in “May.”** The “y” in “May” is pronounced like the “i” in “bite.” It should not be pronounced like the “y” in “yes.”
IV. Tips for remembering the months of the year
Remembering the order of months can be challenging for children and adults alike. Below are several tips that may help, including several famous quotes and several tables with useful information.
Musical Mnemonics
There are several songs and poems that can help you remember the months of the year. One popular song is “The Months of the Year” by The Kiboomers. Here’s the chorus:
“January, February, March,
April, May, then comes June,
July, August, September,
October, November, December.”
Another helpful mnemonic is the poem “Thirty Days Hath September” by an anonymous author.
Acronyms
| Acronym | Months |
|---|---|
| January | January |
| February | February |
| March | May |
| April | August |
| May | March |
| June | July |
| July | June |
| August | April |
| September | September |
| October | October |
| November | November |
| December | December |
You can also create your own acronym using the first letter of each month.
Visual Aids
Many people find it helpful to associate images with the months of the year. For example, you might picture January as a snowy winter scene, March as a blooming spring meadow, or October as a colorful autumn forest.
V. Conclusion
Learning the months of the year in English is a crucial step towards mastering the language. With a strong grasp of the vocabulary and pronunciation, you will be able to communicate effectively in various situations, from everyday conversations to business meetings. Remember to practice regularly, immerse yourself in English-speaking environments, and consult reputable resources like Excel English for further support. Keep in mind that learning a language is an ongoing journey, so stay persistent and you will achieve fluency in no time!
