Have you ever wondered whether it’s months or monthes while writing? You’re not alone.
This spelling confusion is common because both forms sound the same, but only one is correct.
People often assume month should become monthes because words like boxes and wishes use -es. However, English follows a different rule here.
This article gives you the correct answer, a simple explanation, and clear examples so you can use the right spelling with confidence every time.
Months or Monthes – Quick Answer
The correct spelling is months.
Monthes is incorrect and not accepted in modern English.
Examples:
- ✅ I worked there for six months.
- ✅ The project will take three months to finish.
- ❌ I worked there for six monthes. (Incorrect)
Rule to remember:
The plural of month is formed by adding -s, not -es.
Find More About:
The Origin of Months or Monthes
The word month comes from Old English mōnath, which is linked to the word moon. Early calendars followed lunar cycles, so the connection made sense.
In Old and Middle English, plural forms were not fully standardized. Some words added -es, others added -s, and spellings varied widely. Over time, English became more regularized.
By the Early Modern English period:
- Month followed the pattern of regular nouns ending in consonants
- The accepted plural became months
The spelling monthes appeared occasionally in very old texts, but it never became standard. As dictionaries and grammar rules evolved, months was fixed as the only correct plural form.
Today:
- Months = correct and standard
- Monthes = obsolete and considered an error
British English vs American English Spelling
Good news: there is no difference between British and American English for this word.
Both varieties agree completely.
| Form | British English | American English |
| Singular | month | month |
| Plural | months ✅ | months ✅ |
| Incorrect | monthes ❌ | monthes ❌ |
Unlike words such as colour/color or finalise/finalize, months has only one accepted spelling worldwide.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your choice is simple because there is only one correct option.
Use months if:
- You are writing for a US audience
- You are writing for a UK or Commonwealth audience
- You are writing globally
- You are writing professionally or academically
- You want to avoid spelling mistakes
Never use monthes:
- It is not accepted by dictionaries
- It looks unprofessional
- It can reduce trust in your writing
Best practice: Always use months, regardless of audience or region.
Common Mistakes with Months or Monthes
Here are the most frequent errors people make:
1. Adding -es by analogy
People think:
- box → boxes
- wish → wishes
- month → monthes ❌
But month does not end in a sound that requires -es.
2. Overthinking silent letters
The th sound confuses learners. Silent or complex sounds do not change plural rules here.
3. Autocorrect trust
Some users assume if a word “looks right,” it must be correct. Spellcheck tools may not always catch this mistake.
Correct vs Incorrect:
- ❌ two monthes ago
- ✅ two months ago
Months or Monthes in Everyday Examples
Emails
- ✅ “I will be available for the next three months.
- ❌ “I will be available for the next three monthes.
News Writing
- ✅ “Inflation has increased over the past six months.
- ❌ “Inflation has increased over the past six monthes.
Social Media
- ✅ “Hard work for 12 months finally paid off!
- ❌ “Hard work for 12 monthes finally paid off!
Formal & Academic Writing
- ✅ “The study was conducted over nine months.
- ❌ “The study was conducted over nine monthes.
Months or Monthes – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows that “months or monthes” is a common query worldwide, especially in:
- India
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- ESL-heavy regions
Why?
- English learners apply plural rules inconsistently
- Spoken English hides spelling differences
- School-level grammar confusion
However, when we look at actual usage:
- Months appears millions of times in books, news, and websites
- Monthes shows almost zero legitimate usage and appears mainly in spelling error reports
This tells us one thing clearly:
Months dominates globally in every context.
Comparison Table: Months or Monthes
| Word Form | Correct | Dictionary Accepted | Used in British English | Used in American English |
| months | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| monthes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
FAQs:
1. Is monthes ever correct?
No. Monthes is obsolete and incorrect in modern English.
2. Why isn’t the plural monthes?
Because month follows the regular -s plural rule, not the -es rule.
3. Do British people ever write monthes?
No. British and American English both use months.
4. Is months hard to pronounce?
It can feel awkward, but pronunciation difficulty does not change spelling rules.
5. Can monthes appear in old books?
Yes, very old texts may show it, but it is not acceptable today.
6. Does months ever change spelling in formal writing?
No. The spelling remains the same in all contexts.
7. How can I remember the correct form?
Think: day → days, week → weeks, month → months.
Conclusion
The confusion between months and monthes is common, but the rule is simple.
Months is the only correct plural form.
Monthes is incorrect and should never be used.
There is no British or American difference. In emails, reports, posts, or articles, months is always right.
Using the correct spelling improves clarity and professionalism. Remember: pronunciation does not decide spelling rules do.
Use months every time.
I’m a young American content writer who specializes in English grammar, spelling accuracy, and commonly confused words. I creates clear, easy-to-understand content that helps learners, students, and professionals improve their writing by simplifying complex grammar topics and everyday language mistakes.
