BC and AD
BCE and CE

The Quick Answer
• To cater to religious diversity, the abbreviations BCE (Before
Common Era) and CE (Common Era) can be used to replace BC and
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

Writing Years with AD, BC, BCE, and CE
The abbreviation AD (Anno Domini) means "in the year of the
Lord" and denotes "of the Christian Era." It is written before the
year. The abbreviation BC (Before Christ) is written after the year.
For example:
•AD 2001
•487 BC
•Caesar Augustus ruled from 27 BC to AD 14.

True or false?
The abbreviation AD (Anno Domini) means "in the year of the Lord"
and denotes "of the Christian Era’’.
• A. True
• B. False

Select the correct format.
• A. 2020 AD
• B. AD 2020

Select the correct format.
• A. 487 BC
• B. BC 487

Select the correct format.
• A. 2020 CE
• B. CE 2020

Select the sentence in the correct format.
• A. Caesar Augustus ruled from 27 BC to AD 14.
• B. Caesar Augustus ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD.

What does BCE mean?
• A. Before Common Era
• B. Before Christ's Era
• C. Before Christ Eon

What era is BCE the same as?
• A. BC
• B. AD

What does CE mean?
• A. Common Era
• B. Christ's Era

What era is CE the same as?
• A. BC
• B. AD