Ordinal numbers are indispensable in our daily lives as they describe the position or order of objects or events in a sequence. Whether you’re discussing the ranking of athletes in a race, the order of events in a story, or simply telling the date, knowing how to express ordinal numbers correctly is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore the various formal and informal ways to say ordinal numbers in English, providing you with plenty of examples and helpful tips along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Ordinal Numbers
When it comes to formal contexts, such as academic or professional settings, it’s important to use the standard forms for ordinal numbers. Here are a few guidelines:
- The Basics: In general, the suffix “-th” is added to cardinal numbers ending in a vowel (1st, 4th, 11th, etc.), and the suffix “-st,” “-nd,” or “-rd” is added to cardinal numbers ending in a consonant (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
- Exceptions: There are a few irregular ordinal numbers that deviate from the basic rule, such as “first,” “second,” and “third.” These are used instead of “oneth,” “twoth,” and “threeth” to form the first three ordinal numbers.
- Hyphen Usage: Ordinal numbers from 21st to 99th are generally written with a hyphen (21st, 34th, 99th) to connect the tens digit with the “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th” suffix.
Example sentences in formal settings:
- The 1st of October is our anniversary.
- She came in 2nd place in the competition.
- They built a new bridge at the 15th street corner.
Informal Ways to Say Ordinal Numbers
Informal usage of ordinal numbers has evolved over time, particularly in spoken language. Native English speakers often employ alternative forms to express the order of things in a more casual way. Here are some variations:
- Abbreviations: Instead of saying “first,” you can use the abbreviation “1st” in both written and spoken language. Similarly, “2nd” and “3rd” can be used as abbreviations for “second” and “third.”
- Drop the “-th”: In informal contexts, it is common to drop the “-th” suffix altogether when referring to ordinal numbers, especially for numbers ending in “th.” For instance, “fifth” becomes “fifth,” “sixth” becomes “six,” and so on.
- Using “Number” + Ordinal Name: A very casual way to state ordinal numbers is to use the cardinal number followed by the word that typically represents the ordinal position. For instance, “number one” instead of “first,” “number two” instead of “second.”
Example sentences in informal settings:
- I’ll be there on the 1st of July, or maybe even on the 1.
- We’re celebrating our baby’s 2nd birthday tomorrow!
- School will start on September 1st, or maybe just September one.
Additional Tips and Examples
To further enhance your understanding and usage of ordinal numbers in English, consider the following tips and examples:
Tip 1: When spelling or writing out ordinal numbers, use hyphens between the words. For example, “twenty-fourth.”
Tip 2: When expressing the day of the month, it’s common to use the cardinal number followed by “of” or the “-th” suffix for formal settings. For informal settings, often the cardinal number alone is sufficient. For example, “July 4th” or “July 4.”
Tip 3: Watch out for irregular forms or exceptions, such as “eleventh,” “twelfth,” “twentieth,” “thirtieth,” and so on. These don’t follow the regular pattern.
Examples:
- She was the 17th speaker in a lineup of academic experts.
- Today marks the 25th anniversary of their wedding.
- We arrived on the 13th floor of the building, not knowing what we would find there.
- He finished in 32nd place in the international chess tournament.
Remember that understanding the proper usage of ordinal numbers is crucial for effective communication in English. Whether you’re engaged in formal or informal conversation, these guidelines, variations, and examples will help you navigate any situation with confidence. Practice using both formal and informal forms, and you’ll soon master the art of expressing ordinal numbers like a native English speaker!
