Blog about English
Using ordinal numbers for order, ranking and sequence.
Practice: build the sentences →Ordinal numbers express position or order rather than quantity.
Examples include first, second, third, fourth, and twentieth.
She was the first to arrive.
Она пришла первой.
"First" is an ordinal number expressing position.
This is the second chapter.
Это вторая глава.
"Second" expresses order in a sequence.
He finished third in the race.
Он финишировал третьим в гонке.
"Third" indicates position in a ranking.
The fourth attempt was successful.
Четвёртая попытка была успешной.
"Fourth" is an ordinal number.
She lives on the twentieth floor.
Она живёт на двадцатом этаже.
"Twentieth" expresses ordinal position.
The ordinal numbers first, second, and third are irregular and must be learned individually.
For example, one → first, two → second, and three → third.
This is my first car.
Это моя первая машина.
"First" corresponds to the cardinal "one".
She was the second person to call.
Она была вторым человеком, который позвонил.
"Second" corresponds to the cardinal "two".
He came in third place.
Он занял третье место.
"Third" corresponds to the cardinal "three".
This is the first time I have seen it.
Это первый раз, когда я это вижу.
"First" is irregular and must be learned individually.
The second attempt was easier.
Вторая попытка была легче.
"Second" is an irregular ordinal.
Most ordinal numbers from fourth through twentieth are formed by adding an ordinal suffix to the corresponding cardinal number, with some spelling changes.
Examples include fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth, twelfth, and twentieth.
She finished fourth in the competition.
Она заняла четвёртое место в соревновании.
"Fourth" is formed from "four" with -th.
The fifth chapter is the most interesting.
Пятая глава самая интересная.
"Fifth" has a spelling change from "five".
He was the eighth person to arrive.
Он был восьмым, кто пришёл.
"Eighth" has a spelling change from "eight".
She lives on the ninth floor.
Она живёт на девятом этаже.
"Ninth" drops the "e" from "nine".
This is the twentieth example.
Это двадцатый пример.
"Twentieth" is formed from "twenty" by changing -y to -ieth.
Several ordinal numbers have spelling forms that do not simply add -th to the cardinal number.
The correct forms are fifth, eighth, ninth, and twelfth.
This is the fifth time I have called.
Это пятый раз, когда я звоню.
Correct spelling: "fifth" (not "fiveth").
She was the eighth contestant.
Она была восьмой участницей.
Correct spelling: "eighth" (not "eightth").
He came in ninth place.
Он занял девятое место.
Correct spelling: "ninth" (not "nineth").
This is the twelfth month.
Это двенадцатый месяц.
Correct spelling: "twelfth" (not "twelveth").
The fifth and eighth are often misspelled.
Пятый и восьмой часто пишут с ошибками.
"Fifth" and "eighth" have irregular spellings.
Ordinal forms of multiples of ten are formed by changing the final -y to -ieth.
For example, twentieth, thirtieth, fortieth, fiftieth, and ninetieth.
This is the twentieth anniversary.
Это двадцатая годовщина.
"Twentieth" is formed by changing -y to -ieth.
She was the thirtieth applicant.
Она была тридцатой заявительницей.
"Thirtieth" is the ordinal of thirty.
He finished in the fortieth position.
Он финишировал на сороковом месте.
"Fortieth" is the ordinal of forty.
This is the fiftieth time.
Это пятидесятый раз.
"Fiftieth" is the ordinal of fifty.
She was the ninetieth caller.
Она была девяностой позвонившей.
"Ninetieth" is the ordinal of ninety.
In compound numbers, only the final component normally takes the ordinal form.
For example, twenty-first, thirty-second, and one hundred and fifth.
This is the twenty-first chapter.
Это двадцать первая глава.
Only the final component "first" is ordinal.
She was the thirty-second applicant.
Она была тридцать второй заявительницей.
"Thirty-second" has only the final part as ordinal.
He was the one hundred and fifth person.
Он был сто пятым человеком.
"One hundred and fifth" has only "fifth" as ordinal.
This is the forty-third attempt.
Это сорок третья попытка.
Only "third" is ordinal in "forty-third".
She came in fifty-fourth place.
Она заняла пятьдесят четвёртое место.
"Fifty-fourth" has "fourth" as the ordinal component.
In a number containing a hundred, the word hundred remains cardinal unless it is the final element being ordered.
For example, one hundred and first, but three hundred and one people.
This is the one hundred and first page.
Это сто первая страница.
"Hundred" remains cardinal; only "first" is ordinal.
There are three hundred and one people.
Там триста один человек.
"Hundred" is cardinal here because it is not the final ordinal element.
She was the two hundred and fifth applicant.
Она была двести пятой заявительницей.
Only "fifth" is ordinal.
He finished in the three hundred and tenth position.
Он финишировал на трёхсот десятом месте.
"Tenth" is the ordinal component.
This is the four hundred and second attempt.
Это четыреста вторая попытка.
Only "second" is ordinal.
In large ordinal numbers, normally only the final relevant numerical component changes to the ordinal form.
For example, two thousand and first and three million and fifth.
This is the two thousand and first example.
Это две тысячи первый пример.
Only "first" is ordinal; "thousand" remains cardinal.
She was the three million and fifth person.
Она была три миллиона пятым человеком.
"Million" is cardinal; "fifth" is ordinal.
He finished in the one thousand and tenth place.
Он финишировал на тысяча десятом месте.
Only "tenth" is ordinal.
This is the five thousand and second attempt.
Это пять тысяч вторая попытка.
"Second" is the ordinal component.
She was the ten million and first applicant.
Она была десять миллионов первая заявительница.
Only "first" is ordinal.
Ordinal numbers normally occur before nouns to indicate position in a sequence.
For example, the first chapter, the second attempt, and the tenth floor.
This is the first chapter.
Это первая глава.
"First" precedes the noun "chapter".
She made a second attempt.
Она сделала вторую попытку.
"Second" modifies the noun "attempt".
He lives on the tenth floor.
Он живёт на десятом этаже.
"Tenth" comes before the noun "floor".
This is her third visit.
Это её третий визит.
"Third" precedes the noun "visit".
The fourth example is the best.
Четвёртый пример самый лучший.
"Fourth" precedes the noun "example".
An ordinal number can function as a determiner within a noun phrase and normally precedes the noun.
For example, the third person and her fifth attempt.
She is the third person in line.
Она третий человек в очереди.
"Third" functions as a determiner before the noun "person".
This is her fifth attempt.
Это её пятая попытка.
"Fifth" determines the noun "attempt".
He was the second contestant.
Он был вторым участником.
"Second" functions as a determiner.
The first option is the cheapest.
Первый вариант самый дешёвый.
"First" determines the noun "option".
She chose the fourth book.
Она выбрала четвёртую книгу.
"Fourth" is a determiner before "book".
Ordinal numbers are commonly preceded by the when referring to a specific position in a sequence.
For example, the first time, the second floor, and the third chapter.
This is the first time.
Это первый раз.
"The" precedes the ordinal "first".
She lives on the second floor.
Она живёт на втором этаже.
"The" is used with the ordinal "second".
He is reading the third chapter.
Он читает третью главу.
"The" precedes the ordinal "third".
This is the tenth example.
Это десятый пример.
"The" is used with the ordinal "tenth".
She was the fifth person to arrive.
Она была пятым человеком, который пришёл.
"The" precedes the ordinal "fifth".
A possessive can replace the article before an ordinal number when identifying position within a personal sequence or experience.
For example, her first car, my second attempt, and their third visit.
This is her first car.
Это её первая машина.
The possessive "her" replaces "the" before "first".
He made his second attempt.
Он сделал свою вторую попытку.
The possessive "his" precedes the ordinal "second".
This is their third visit.
Это их третий визит.
The possessive "their" is used with the ordinal "third".
She celebrated her fortieth birthday.
Она отпраздновала своё сорокалетие.
The possessive "her" precedes the ordinal "fortieth".
He is proud of his fifth achievement.
Он гордится своим пятым достижением.
The possessive "his" is used with the ordinal "fifth".
Ordinal numbers can be used independently when the noun is understood from context.
For example, I chose the first and She finished second.
I chose the first.
Я выбрал первый.
The noun is understood from context.
She finished second.
Она финишировала второй.
"Second" is used independently as an adverb-like complement.
He was the third to arrive.
Он был третьим, кто пришёл.
The noun is omitted but understood.
This is my first, not my second.
Это мой первый, а не второй.
Ordinal numbers can stand alone.
She came in fourth.
Она пришла четвёртой.
"Fourth" is used without a following noun.
First can function adverbially to indicate the initial stage or sequence of actions.
For example, First, open the file; then check the settings.
First, open the file.
Сначала откройте файл.
"First" functions as an adverb of sequence.
First, we need to collect the data.
Сначала нам нужно собрать данные.
"First" introduces the initial step.
First, check the settings; then save.
Сначала проверьте настройки, затем сохраните.
"First" orders actions in a sequence.
She first visited Paris in 2010.
Она впервые посетила Париж в 2010 году.
"First" modifies the verb "visited".
First, read the instructions carefully.
Сначала внимательно прочитайте инструкции.
"First" is used as an adverb.
First and firstly can introduce the first item in an ordered list, with first generally being more natural and flexible in many contexts.
For example, First, we need to collect the data.
First, we need to collect the data.
Сначала нам нужно собрать данные.
"First" is natural and flexible.
Firstly, we need to collect the data.
Во-первых, нам нужно собрать данные.
"Firstly" is slightly more formal.
First, consider the cost.
Сначала рассмотрите стоимость.
"First" is common in both speech and writing.
Firstly, consider the cost.
Во-первых, рассмотрите стоимость.
"Firstly" is often used in structured writing.
First, let us review the plan.
Сначала давайте рассмотрим план.
"First" is generally more natural.
Secondly and thirdly can introduce subsequent points in a sequence, especially in formal or structured speech and writing.
For example, Firstly, we need a plan. Secondly, we need sufficient data.
Firstly, we need a plan.
Во-первых, нам нужен план.
"Firstly" introduces the first point.
Secondly, we need sufficient data.
Во-вторых, нам нужно достаточно данных.
"Secondly" introduces the second point.
Thirdly, we must consider the budget.
В-третьих, мы должны рассмотреть бюджет.
"Thirdly" introduces the third point.
Secondly, the method must be reliable.
Во-вторых, метод должен быть надёжным.
"Secondly" is used in formal structured speech.
Thirdly, we need to test the results.
В-третьих, нам нужно проверить результаты.
"Thirdly" is used in formal writing.
Ordinal numbers are used to identify positions in competitions, rankings, and ordered lists.
For example, She finished first, he came second, and the team finished third.
She finished first in the race.
Она финишировала первой в гонке.
"First" identifies the top position.
He came second in the competition.
Он занял второе место в соревновании.
"Second" identifies the ranking.
The team finished third.
Команда финишировала третьей.
"Third" identifies the position.
She was the first to cross the line.
Она была первой, кто пересёк финишную черту.
"First" identifies the leading position.
He ranked fifth in the tournament.
Он занял пятое место в турнире.
"Fifth" identifies the ranking.
Ordinal numbers can occur directly as complements after verbs of ranking or with the when functioning as noun phrase modifiers.
For example, She finished first but She was the first person to finish.
She finished first.
Она финишировала первой.
"First" occurs directly after the verb "finished".
She was the first person to finish.
Она была первым человеком, который финишировал.
"The first" modifies the noun "person".
He came second.
Он пришёл вторым.
"Second" is used as an adverbial complement.
He was the second person to arrive.
Он был вторым человеком, который пришёл.
"The second" modifies the noun "person".
She ranked third.
Она заняла третье место.
"Third" is used directly after the verb "ranked".
The first, second, and other ordinal expressions can be followed by a to-infinitive to identify an action performed in that order.
For example, She was the first to arrive and He was the second person to respond.
She was the first to arrive.
Она была первой, кто пришёл.
"The first" is followed by the to-infinitive "to arrive".
He was the second person to respond.
Он был вторым человеком, который ответил.
"The second" is followed by "person to respond".
She was the third to finish.
Она была третьей, кто финишировал.
"The third" is followed by "to finish".
He was the first to notice the mistake.
Он был первым, кто заметил ошибку.
"The first" is followed by "to notice".
She was the fourth to apply.
Она была четвёртой, кто подал заявку.
"The fourth" is followed by "to apply".
Last can function similarly to ordinal expressions and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
For example, He was the last to leave.
He was the last to leave.
Он был последним, кто ушёл.
"The last" is followed by "to leave".
She was the last to arrive.
Она была последней, кто пришёл.
"The last" is followed by "to arrive".
He was the last person to know.
Он был последним человеком, кто узнал.
"The last" modifies "person to know".
She was the last to finish the race.
Она была последней, кто закончил гонку.
"The last" is followed by "to finish".
He was the last to respond.
Он был последним, кто ответил.
"The last" is followed by "to respond".
Ordinal numbers are commonly used with floors or levels of buildings.
For example, the first floor, the second floor, and the tenth floor.
She lives on the first floor.
Она живёт на первом этаже.
"First" identifies the floor level.
He works on the second floor.
Он работает на втором этаже.
"Second" identifies the floor level.
The office is on the tenth floor.
Офис находится на десятом этаже.
"Tenth" identifies the floor level.
She took the elevator to the fifth floor.
Она поднялась на лифте на пятый этаж.
"Fifth" identifies the floor.
He lives on the third floor.
Он живёт на третьем этаже.
"Third" identifies the floor.
British and American English can use different conventions for naming floors of buildings.
In British English, the ground floor is normally the level above street level, while first floor commonly refers to the next level; American English commonly uses first floor for street level.
In British English, the ground floor is the level above street level.
В британском английском первый этаж — это уровень над улицей.
British English uses "ground floor" for street level.
In British English, the first floor is the next level up.
В британском английском второй этаж — следующий уровень.
"First floor" in British English is above the ground floor.
In American English, the first floor is street level.
В американском английском первый этаж — это уровень улицы.
American English uses "first floor" for street level.
In American English, the second floor is the next level up.
В американском английском второй этаж — следующий уровень.
American English counts floors differently.
The British "first floor" corresponds to the American "second floor".
Британский «первый этаж» соответствует американскому «второму этажу».
There is a systematic difference between the two conventions.
Centuries are conventionally named with ordinal numbers.
For example, the nineteenth century and the twenty-first century.
The nineteenth century saw many changes.
Девятнадцатый век видел много изменений.
"Nineteenth" is an ordinal number for a century.
The twenty-first century began in 2001.
Двадцать первый век начался в 2001 году.
"Twenty-first" is an ordinal number for a century.
The twentieth century was a time of rapid change.
Двадцатый век был временем быстрых перемен.
"Twentieth" is used for centuries.
The eighteenth century was an age of enlightenment.
Восемнадцатый век был веком просвещения.
"Eighteenth" is an ordinal number.
We are living in the twenty-first century.
Мы живём в двадцать первом веке.
"Twenty-first" is the ordinal for the current century.
Ordinal numbers are traditionally used when dates are spoken in some varieties and styles of English, especially in British English.
For example, the fifth of June and the twenty-first of March.
She was born on the fifth of June.
Она родилась пятого июня.
"Fifth" is used in British date format.
The meeting is on the twenty-first of March.
Встреча двадцать первого марта.
"Twenty-first" is used in British date format.
He arrived on the third of May.
Он приехал третьего мая.
"Third" is used in British date format.
The event is on the twelfth of August.
Мероприятие двенадцатого августа.
"Twelfth" is used in British date format.
She will return on the first of September.
Она вернётся первого сентября.
"First" is used in British date format.
American English commonly reads dates with the month before the day and may use cardinal-number wording rather than an overt ordinal in some styles.
For example, June fifth is common in speech, while May 5 is the standard written date format.
The meeting is on June fifth.
Встреча пятого июня.
American English often uses cardinal-number wording in dates.
She was born on May 5.
Она родилась 5 мая.
American written dates use month before day.
The event is on March twenty-first.
Мероприятие двадцать первого марта.
American English may use ordinal wording in speech.
He arrived on August twelfth.
Он приехал двенадцатого августа.
American English can use ordinal forms in dates.
The deadline is January first.
Крайний срок — первое января.
American English often uses ordinal wording for the first.
Ordinal numbers can be abbreviated in writing with endings such as -st, -nd, -rd, and -th.
For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 21st.
This is the 1st chapter.
Это первая глава.
"1st" is the abbreviation of "first".
She was the 2nd person to arrive.
Она была вторым человеком, который пришёл.
"2nd" is the abbreviation of "second".
He came in 3rd place.
Он занял третье место.
"3rd" is the abbreviation of "third".
This is the 4th attempt.
Это четвёртая попытка.
"4th" is the abbreviation of "fourth".
She finished 21st in the race.
Она финишировала двадцать первой в гонке.
"21st" is the abbreviation of "twenty-first".
Ordinal abbreviations generally use -st after numbers ending in 1, -nd after 2, -rd after 3, and -th elsewhere, with exceptions for 11th, 12th, and 13th.
For example, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, but 11th, 12th, and 13th.
21st is correct for twenty-first.
21st правильно для двадцать первого.
Use -st after numbers ending in 1.
22nd is correct for twenty-second.
22nd правильно для двадцать второго.
Use -nd after numbers ending in 2.
23rd is correct for twenty-third.
23rd правильно для двадцать третьего.
Use -rd after numbers ending in 3.
11th is correct for eleventh.
11th правильно для одиннадцатого.
Exceptions: 11th, 12th, 13th take -th.
12th is correct for twelfth.
12th правильно для двенадцатого.
"12th" takes -th despite ending in 2.
Ordinal forms can be used when identifying position or sequence within numerical expressions involving fractions or decimal divisions.
For example, the first decimal place and the second digit after the decimal point.
The first decimal place is important.
Первый десятичный знак важен.
"First" identifies position in a decimal.
The second digit after the decimal point is 5.
Вторая цифра после десятичной точки — 5.
"Second" identifies position after the decimal point.
The third fraction is the smallest.
Третья дробь самая маленькая.
"Third" identifies position among fractions.
The fourth decimal place is zero.
Четвёртый десятичный знак — ноль.
"Fourth" identifies position in a decimal.
She calculated the fifth fraction correctly.
Она правильно вычислила пятую дробь.
"Fifth" identifies position among fractions.
Ordinal numbers identify the position of one item relative to other items in a sequence.
For example, the first step, the fourth stage, and the hundredth example.
This is the first step.
Это первый шаг.
"First" identifies position in a sequence.
The fourth stage is the most difficult.
Четвёртый этап самый сложный.
"Fourth" identifies position in a sequence.
This is the hundredth example.
Это сотый пример.
"Hundredth" identifies position in a sequence.
The second step is to collect data.
Второй шаг — собрать данные.
"Second" identifies the next step.
She is at the third stage of the project.
Она на третьем этапе проекта.
"Third" identifies the stage.
Cardinal numbers express quantity, while ordinal numbers express position or order.
For example, three books expresses quantity, while the third book identifies position.
She has three books.
У неё три книги.
"Three" is a cardinal number expressing quantity.
This is the third book.
Это третья книга.
"Third" is an ordinal number expressing position.
He bought two cars.
Он купил две машины.
"Two" is cardinal.
He bought the second car.
Он купил вторую машину.
"Second" is ordinal.
There are five students.
Там пять студентов.
"Five" is cardinal.
Ordinal numbers can identify rulers, monarchs, or repeated names in formal titles.
For example, Elizabeth II is read Elizabeth the Second and Henry VIII is Henry the Eighth.
Elizabeth II is read as Elizabeth the Second.
Елизавета II читается как Елизавета Вторая.
Ordinal numbers are used for monarchs.
Henry VIII is read as Henry the Eighth.
Генрих VIII читается как Генрих Восьмой.
Ordinal numbers identify rulers.
Louis XIV is read as Louis the Fourteenth.
Людовик XIV читается как Людовик Четырнадцатый.
Ordinal numbers are used in royal titles.
Richard III is read as Richard the Third.
Ричард III читается как Ричард Третий.
Ordinal numbers identify monarchs.
Charles V is read as Charles the Fifth.
Карл V читается как Карл Пятый.
Ordinal numbers are used for rulers.
Ordinal numbers can identify ordered parts of books, documents, and structured texts.
For example, the first chapter, the second section, and the third paragraph.
This is the first chapter.
Это первая глава.
"First" identifies a chapter.
The second section is longer.
Второй раздел длиннее.
"Second" identifies a section.
The third paragraph is the most important.
Третий параграф самый важный.
"Third" identifies a paragraph.
Please read the fourth chapter.
Пожалуйста, прочитайте четвёртую главу.
"Fourth" identifies a chapter.
The fifth section covers the conclusion.
Пятый раздел охватывает заключение.
"Fifth" identifies a section.
Expressions such as the first, the last, and the second can identify positions that overlap semantically with ordering and comparison.
For example, the first person to arrive and the last person to leave.
She was the first person to arrive.
Она была первым человеком, который пришёл.
"The first" identifies a unique position.
He was the last person to leave.
Он был последним человеком, который ушёл.
"The last" identifies the final position.
She was the second to finish.
Она была второй, кто финишировал.
"The second" identifies a specific position.
He was the first to notice.
Он был первым, кто заметил.
"The first" implies a unique position.
She was the last to know.
Она была последней, кто узнал.
"The last" identifies the final position.
Formal references commonly use ordinal forms when identifying stages, editions, sessions, or numbered events.
For example, the twenty-first edition and the fifth annual conference.
This is the twenty-first edition.
Это двадцать первое издание.
"Twenty-first" identifies an edition.
The fifth annual conference was held in May.
Пятая ежегодная конференция состоялась в мае.
"Fifth" identifies a session.
She attended the tenth meeting.
Она посетила десятое собрание.
"Tenth" identifies a meeting.
The third session begins at noon.
Третья сессия начинается в полдень.
"Third" identifies a session.
This is the fourteenth edition of the book.
Это четырнадцатое издание книги.
"Fourteenth" identifies an edition.
Use ordinal forms when expressing position and cardinal forms when expressing quantity, with correct spelling and abbreviation conventions.
Common mistakes include using three instead of third, writing fourty instead of forty when forming fortieth, using 21th instead of 21st, and confusing the first with one.
She was the third person.
Она была третьим человеком.
Correct: "third" is the ordinal form.
She was the three person.
Она была три человека.
Incorrect: "three" is cardinal, not ordinal.
This is the fortieth example.
Это сороковой пример.
Correct spelling: "fortieth" (not "fourtieth").
This is the 21st chapter.
Это двадцать первая глава.
Correct abbreviation: "21st" (not "21th").
This is the first time.
Это первый раз.
Correct: "first" is used for position.