Blog about English
Using ordinal numbers for order, ranking and sequence.
Ordinal numbers express position or order rather than quantity.
Examples include first, second, third, fourth, and twentieth.
The ordinal numbers first, second, and third are irregular and must be learned individually.
For example, one → first, two → second, and three → third.
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.
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.
Ordinal forms of multiples of ten are formed by changing the final -y to -ieth.
For example, twentieth, thirtieth, fortieth, fiftieth, and ninetieth.
In compound numbers, only the final component normally takes the ordinal form.
For example, twenty-first, thirty-second, and one hundred and fifth.
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.
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.
Ordinal numbers normally occur before nouns to indicate position in a sequence.
For example, the first chapter, the second attempt, and the tenth floor.
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.
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.
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.
Ordinal numbers can be used independently when the noun is understood from context.
For example, I chose the first and She finished second.
First can function adverbially to indicate the initial stage or sequence of actions.
For example, First, open the file; then check the settings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last can function similarly to ordinal expressions and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
For example, He was the last to leave.
Ordinal numbers are commonly used with floors or levels of buildings.
For example, the first floor, the second floor, and the tenth 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.
Centuries are conventionally named with ordinal numbers.
For example, the nineteenth century and the twenty-first 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.
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.
Ordinal numbers can be abbreviated in writing with endings such as -st, -nd, -rd, and -th.
For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 21st.
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.
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.
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.
Cardinal numbers express quantity, while ordinal numbers express position or order.
For example, three books expresses quantity, while the third book identifies position.
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.
Ordinal numbers can identify ordered parts of books, documents, and structured texts.
For example, the first chapter, the second section, and the third paragraph.
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.
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.
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.