Traditionally, English follows Latin usage by placing the AD abbreviation before the year number, though it is also found after that year. In contrast, BC is always placed after the year number (for example: AD 2021, but 68 BC), which preserves syntactic order.

Does AD go after or before the year?

A.D. stands for anno domini, Latin for “in the year of the lord,” and refers specifically to the birth of Jesus Christ. B.C. stands for before Christ. In English, it is common for A.D. to precede the year, so that the translation of A.D.

Does AD come before year 1?

In the modern calendar, we label all years with B.C. (before Christ) or A.D. (anno domini, or in the year of our lord). There is no zero year -- in this system, the year Christ was born is 1 A.D., and the year preceding it is 1 B.C.

How do you write the date in AD?

Of note, AD is written before the year, while BC, BCE, and CE are all written after the year. For example: 2020 CE or AD 2020. 487 BCE or 487 BC.

What year comes first BC or AD?

BC should appear after the numerical year, while AD should appear before it. BCE and CE should both appear after the numerical year. As is the case with most initialisms, periods may be used after each letter.