LoginOrdinal Numbers for intermediate learners
Imagine that you are on a list and you want to know where you are standing. To refer to that number, we use 'ordinal numbers.'
Why Do We Use Ordinal Numbers
We use ordinal numbers to show the position of something on a list or in a certain order.
How to Write Ordinal Numbers: 1-10
We usually add 'th' at the end of numbers in order to turn them into ordinal numbers. But one, two, and three are exceptions. Take a look at the list below:
| Written | Numeral |
|---|---|
|
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
3 |
|
four |
4 |
|
fif |
5 |
|
six |
6 |
|
seven |
7 |
|
eigh |
8 |
|
nin |
9 |
|
ten |
10 |
Tip!
Pay attention to the spelling of ordinal numbers. The spelling of some numbers changes when we add 'th'. For example:
Five →
Eight →
Nine →
How to Write Ordinal Numbers: 11-20
Just like ordinal numbers from four to ten, ordinal numbers from 11 to 20 get 'th' at the end. Take a look at this list:
| Written | Numeral |
|---|---|
|
eleven |
11 |
|
twelf |
12 |
|
thirteen |
13 |
|
fourteen |
14 |
|
fifteen |
15 |
|
sixteen |
16 |
|
seventeen |
17 |
|
eighteen |
18 |
|
nineteen |
19 |
|
twentie |
20 |
Tip!
You can see that the spelling of some numbers changes. For example:
twelve → twelf
Twenty → twentie
How to Write Ordinal Numbers: Compound
When we want to write compound ordinal numbers, we use this form: the first part (cardinal number) + hyphen + second part (ordinal number)
| Written | Numeral |
|---|---|
| twenty-first |
21 |
| twenty-second |
22 |
| twenty-third |
23 |
| twenty-fourth |
24 |
| twenty-fifth |
25 |
| twenty-sixth |
26 |
| twenty-seventh |
27 |
| twenty-eighth |
28 |
| twenty-ninth |
29 |
How to Write Ordinal Numbers: The Tens
As you saw before, when forming ordinal numbers, the letter 'y' at the end of the number changes into 'ie'. Take a look at the list below:
| Written | Numeral |
|---|---|
|
ten |
10 |
|
twent |
20 |
|
thirt |
30 |
|
fort |
40 |
|
fift |
50 |
|
sixt |
60 |
|
sevent |
70 |
|
eight |
80 |
|
ninet |
90 |
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