Months vs. Monthes: Which is the Correct Spelling?

• "Monthes" is the incorrect spelling of "months."
• "Months" are units of time used in the Gregorian calendar, each typically lasting 28 to 31 days and representing a division of a year. There are 12 months in a year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.

What does "month" mean?

Month (noun)

 1. A unit of time typically lasting four weeks (approximately 30 days) forming one-twelfth of a year. It is based on the lunar cycle, the approximate time it takes the moon to orbit the Earth. However, due to slight variations in the moon's orbit, there are different types of lunar months:

• Synodic month: The period between new moons, lasting approximately 29.53 days.
• Sidereal month: The period between successive conjunctions with a fixed star, lasting approximately 27.32 days.
• Anomalistic month: The period between successive perigees, the point in the moon's orbit closest to Earth, lasting approximately 27.55 days.
• Nodical month (draconic month): The period between successive nodes, the points where the moon's orbit crosses the Earth's ecliptic, lasting approximately 27.21 days.

 2. A unit of time equal to one-twelfth of a solar year. This is the standard definition used in calendars and is slightly longer than the average lunar month (approximately 30.44 days).

 3. Used figuratively to denote an indefinite period of time, often longer than a single month but shorter than a year.

Examples:

• "January is the first month of the year."
• "The project is due at the end of the month."
• "She has been studying for months for the exam."

The use of "months" and "monthes" over time

Looking at the two graphs, we can see that there is a difference in usage between "months" and "monthes." "Months" has been used at a higher frequency than "monthes."

How to pronounce "months"

In British English, "months" is pronounced as "muhnths."

In American English, "months" is pronounced as "muhnths."

Why would we misspell "months" as "monthes"?

The correct spelling is actually "months," not "monthes." There are a few reasons why someone might misspell it:

• Unfamiliarity: "Monthes" is simply not the correct spelling, and someone who is unfamiliar with the word might guess incorrectly. This could be because they are learning English as a second language, haven't encountered the word before, or are simply prone to typos.
• False analogy: Some people might mistakenly add an "e" to the end of "months" because they see it as similar to other words that end in "es," such as "boxes" or "fishes." However, "months" is not one of those words, and adding the "e" is incorrect.
• Typographical error: Even the most proficient writers can make typos, and "monthes" could simply be a result of hitting the wrong key or not proofreading carefully.

Other common misspellings of "months"

1. mounths
2. monthes
3. monts

Example sentences of the misspelling of "months" as "monthes"

1. It's essential to understand that 'monthes' is an incorrect spelling; the correct form is months.
2. In academic writing, it's crucial to avoid common mistakes such as using monthes instead of the correct spelling, which is months.
3. When discussing the duration of a project, make sure to use the proper spelling months, not the erroneous monthes.
4. The annual calendar is divided into twelve months, and it's important to remember that monthes is not an accepted spelling in standard English.
5. Grammar checkers can be helpful in catching errors like using monthes instead of the correct spelling, months, in your documents.

Example sentences of "months"

1. The project is expected to take several months to complete.
2. My favorite time of year is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny.
3. They haven't seen each other in months and are looking forward to catching up.
4. The new policy will come into effect in six months.
5. Her birthday is just a few months away.
6. The doctor recommended waiting a few months before trying again for a baby.
7. The historical society is hosting a series of lectures on different cultures throughout the months of July and August.
8. It's been months since I last traveled, so I'm itching to explore somewhere new.

Related words for "months"

1. Moon
2. Moons
3. Lunar cycles
4. Periods
5. Spans
6. Seasons
7. Intervals
8. Phases
9. Segments
10. Duration

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References:

Definition of MONTH

a measure of time corresponding nearly to the period of the moon’s revolution and amounting to approximately 4 weeks or 30 days or 1/12 of a year; an indefinite usually extended period of time; one ninth of the typical duration of human pregnancy… See the full definition

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