Specific days of the week

Question

Why is. ´Mardi 6 janvier, j'étais malade.´ wrong?

Accepted Answer

Hi Janet, 
No, it would be -
Le mardi 6 janvier j'étais malade .
Hope this helps!

Answer

It's because the weekday needs an article when you are stating a WHOLE date. If you were stating just a specific date without the actual whole date, then you'd just say the name of the day.

Tuesday, January 6th, I was sick = Le mardi 6 janvier, j'étais malade. WHOLE DATE

Tuesday, I was sick = Mardi, j'étais malade. SPECIFIC DAY

Le mardi, Je suis malade = I am sick on Tuesdays. TUESDAYS IN GENERAL. Although, this would probably mean you are playing hookey every Tuesday. Shame on you! ;)