Speak About the Seasons and the Months in English

In English-speaking countries, the 365-day year is broken into twelve months and four seasons. The month names and dates are the same for all those countries, and so are the season names (spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter). The seasons are tied to weather conditions, however, so while North America is enjoying summer in June, July, and August, Australians are enjoying winter.

Below is listed each season followed by the three months in which that season falls in the Northern Hemisphere.

The title is the name of the season and below that are the three months.

Spring

• March
• April
• May

Summer

• June
• July
• August

Autumn / Fall

• September
• October
• November

Winter

• December
• January
• February

Notice that both autumn and fall are used with the same meaning in English. Both words are understood in British and American English. However, North Americans tend to use fall. Autumn is used more commonly in British English. The months of the seasons are always capitalized. However, the seasons are not capitalized:

• Tim went skiing in February last winter.
• Janice is going to fly to New York next autumn in October.
• I love taking walks in spring, especially in May.
• It's going to be a very hot summer this year. Make sure to have an air conditioner in August.

Time Expressions with Months and Seasons

In

In is used with months and seasons when speaking in general, but not for specific days:

• I like skiing in winter.
• What do you enjoy in summer?

On

On is used with specific days during a month. Remember to capitalize individual months, but not individual seasons:

• I celebrate my birthday in spring on March 30th.
• We're meeting with Tom on September 10th.

At

At is used with a time, or period of the year:

• Many people enjoy spending time together at Christmas.

• You'll find lots of beautiful flowers at springtime.

This / Next / Last

This + season/month refers to the next month or season:

• I'm going to go skiing this January.
• We're expecting snow this December.

Next + season/month refers to the next month or season:

• I hope to see you next March.
• We'll visit our friends next summer.

Last + season/month refers to the past year:

• We bought a new car last April.
• Sharon took a skiing holiday last winter.

Seasonal Activities

There are many traditional activities in the various seasons and months in English. Here are some of the most common activities and phrases associated with each season:

Spring

Spring is known for plants and new beginnings. Here are some of the events we can experience during spring:

• Flowers bloom
• Trees sprout leaves
• Grow different types of plants
• Do spring cleaning
• Celebrate Easter

• I love spring! There are so many flowers that bloom in a multitude of colors.
• Every March my wife and I do spring cleaning. It's surprising how much it helps!
• Catholics around the world celebrate Easter during spring.

Summer

The summer months are hot and perfect for vacation. Here are some favorite summer activities:

• Go on vacation (US)
• Take a holiday (UK)
• Have picnics
• Wear shirts and t-shirts

• Go hiking and backpacking
• Go camping
• Take a road trip
• Wear sandals and flip flops
• Mow the lawn

• I used to mow the lawn during the summer to earn extra money.
• Let's take a road trip in July. I'd love to see the national parks.
• I have to wear flip flops to walk on the beach. That sand is too hot!

Autumn / Fall

Autumn or fall is a time for reflection and harvesting the crops. Here are some common activities we do during fall:

• Drink apple cider
• Harvest vegetables
• Pick fruit
• Dress up in a costume for Halloween
• Rake the leaves
• Celebrate Thanksgiving

• We harvest the tomatoes in September and the pumpkins in October.
• Did you dress up in a costume for Halloween last year?
• Please go outside and rake the leaves before it rains tomorrow.

Winter

Winter is time to stay inside and enjoy the warmth. If you go outside, here are some the activities you might enjoy during the winter:

• Go snowboarding
• Ski
• Go ice skating
• Put on your boots and coats
• Wear a scarf
• Have a snowball fight
• Shovel the snow
• Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza
• Ring in the New Year
• Kiss your Valentine
• Sing carols

• Make sure you wear a scarf to school in the morning. I don't want you to catch a cold!
• I need to shovel the snow in the driveway.
• How do you ring in the New Year?

Months and Seasons Quiz

Use the clues in each sentence to fill in the gaps with the correct season or month:

1. We often go skiing in _____, especially in February.
2. My wife and I do our _____ cleaning in March.
3. We ring in the New Year in _______.
4. We are going to take a vacation this summer in ______.
5. ______ comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.
6. Tom was born in autumn _____ October 12.
7. Shelly shovels the snow in winter, especially in _____.
8. My son always rakes the leaves in _____.
9. Farmers all around the countryside harvest vegetables in _____.
10. It's ______ outside! Put on your coat and wear a scarf.
11. I turn on my air conditioner during _______.
12. Peter was born in _________ in the month of May.
13. We plant vegetables in the spring in the month of _____.
14. We go ice skating and skiing in the winter in the month of _____.
15. We take a vacation in summer in the month of _____.

Quiz Answers

1. winter
2. spring
3. winter / January
4. July / August / September
5. Spring
6. on
7. January / February / December
8. autumn / fall
9. autumn / fall
10. winter
11. summer
12. spring
13. March / April / May
14. December / January / February 
15. June / July / August / September