If the number ends in 1, the suffix is – st. ![]() The ordinal suffixes follow the same formulas, so once you’ve mastered 1-20, you can apply them to any ordinal number, no matter how high.įor quick reference, here are some basic guidelines: Ordinals are written differently than their cardinal counterparts, so you may have to learn new rules. When you write ordinal numbers, be careful about both spelling and punctuation. ⅜ -> three- eighths How to write ordinal numbers If the numerator (top number) is more than one, the fraction becomes plural. However, the most common fraction, ½, is called simply half or one half -saying one-second is incorrect. Specifically, the denominator (bottom number) is spoken as an ordinal. FractionsĮnglish also uses ordinals for fractions, especially in speech. My parents have been married for twenty-five years. However, when mentioning ages or the number of years, use cardinal numbers. My parents just celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Ordinals keep track of birthdays, anniversaries, and other periodic events. This refers to centuries and millennia, but also the amount of time passed doing something like school. When periods of time are sequential, use ordinals. You have to go down two floors for the pool. However, use cardinal numbers if you’re describing the number of floors, such as giving directions or explaining a floor’s location relative to the ground or another floor. Use ordinals to refer to the different floors of a building except for the ground floor. Henry VIII (spoken aloud as “Henry the Eighth ”) Floors of a building However, in writing, the names of people often use Roman numerals but are spoken aloud as ordinals. Names with numbers, including organization names, use ordinals. ![]() Please note that in formal writing, it’s best to spell out the ordinal number instead of using a numeral with a suffix. However, when writing out a date, avoid ordinals, though you might say July fourth when speaking. You can also use ordinals when referencing the day without the month. In writing, use ordinals when the day comes before the month. However, there are very particular rules on how to write dates, specifically when you can and can’t use ordinals. Informal datesĮspecially when speaking, ordinals are typical for mentioning the day in dates. You can use ordinals to keep track of location or position in reference to the context. Ordinals are used to keep track of ranking, such as placement in competitive events or tiered brackets. He grabbed his coat first and his umbrella second. This includes the chronological order of events, the order of points to discuss, and any numbered lists. When to use ordinal numbers Sequential listsĪs mentioned above, ordinals are ideal for sequential lists to keep track of the order of things. In short, cardinal numbers answer “How many?” while ordinal numbers answer “Which position?” If you have trouble remembering the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers, think of the similarity between ordinal and order. Ordinal numbers are only used for organization and lists, not quantities. They are typically depicted as Arabic numerals ( 1, 2, 3, etc.) but can also be written as words ( one, two, three, etc.) if you know when to spell out numbers. What’s the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers?Ĭardinal numbers depict quantities or amounts and are used in mathematics and counting. This makes sense to a lot of English speakers because most adverbs end in – ly, but it’s an unnecessary addition. ![]() Some people use an alternative form of ordinal numbers that end in – ly, such as firstly. Many ordinal numbers are used as adverbs to indicate the order of a series, such as a chronological sequence of events or a list that organizes thoughts.įirst, grab a flashlight second, go into the basement and third, flip the circuit breaker.Ĭats make great pets: First, they’re fluffy. You can use ordinal numbers as determiners ( not my first choice ) or nouns ( the first to arrive ). numerals with lettered suffixes at the end ( 1st, 2nd, etc.).words spelled out without numerals ( first, second, etc.).Ordinal numbers show something’s position in a series, such as its sequential order, ranking, or place in a list. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly What are ordinal numbers?
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