GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Numbers: Ordinal

Definition

Ordinal numbers show time or space order.

Example

My first child is a girl, and my second child is a boy.

Explanation

Ordinal numbers --

go before the noun.
show time or space order.
can be spelled out (sixth) or numeric (6th).
are formed by writing the number + "th" (for example, sixth), except:
- irregular forms: 1st, 2nd, 3rd = first, second, third
there are spelling rules for some forms:
- five and twelve change the "ve" to "f" = fifth and twelfth
- Eight adds only 'h' = eighth
- twenty, thirty, forty, and so on change the "y" to "ie" before adding "th" = twentieth, thirtieth, fortieth
- nine drops the 'e' = ninth

Related Sections