When writing numbers with suffixes that help tell us the order, we need to make sure we’re using the right ones. Have you ever wondered why we say "1st" instead of "1th"? Simple mistakes in writing ordinal numbers, like “112st” or “112th”, can confuse readers and make our writing look less polished.
When referring to the ordinal form of the number 112, the correct expression is “112th.” The rule is straightforward: when expressing order in English, numbers ending in 12 are typically followed by “th,” regardless of the first digit. This applies to numbers like 12th, 112th, and 1012th.
For example, if you’re talking about a page in a book, you would say, “Turn to the 112th page.” This rule helps in maintaining clarity and consistency in communication, especially in written texts.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
Think of a race. If you finish first, you are 1st, not 1th. What about finishing second? That’s right, you’d be 2nd, not 2rd. The suffixes we add to numbers help describe the position of something in a sequence. Normally, we see certain patterns when applying these suffixes.
The Basic Rule for Ordinal Numbers
The rule for forming ordinal numbers is pretty straightforward. For most numbers, we simply add -th to the cardinal number. Let’s consider the number 112. Following our general rule, it becomes 112th. Why not 112st? Well, the numbers 1, 2, and 3 are special cases where the endings change based on their position in the sequence.
- 1 becomes 1st (as in first)
- 2 becomes 2nd (as in second)
- 3 becomes 3rd (as in third)
For numbers beyond that, whether they end in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, or other combinations, we typically use -th. Plus, if any numbers end in 11, 12, or 13, we use -th. That’s why we say 11th, 12th, and 13th, instead of 11st, 12nd, and 13rd, even though 1, 2, and 3 usually change.
Examples to Show It in Practice
Let’s look at some examples:
- 5 becomes 5th
- 19 becomes 19th
- 20 becomes 20th
- 23 becomes 23rd
- 100 becomes 100th
- 101 becomes 101st
Notice any pattern? Even when we get into larger numbers, the same rules apply. For the number 112:
- 112 becomes 112th
What does this mean if you’re writing dates, saying your place in a line, or numbering anything in order?
Say you’re talking about a building floor, a book’s page, or maybe ranking in an event, like a marathon. Make sure to end these sequences with the correct suffix:
- 114th floor
- 488th page
- 26th place
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now, remember, it’s easy to slip up, especially with numbers that just sound like they might end differently when spoken. Here are a few traps people fall into:
- Writing 21st as 21th
- Writing 33rd as 33th
- Writing 112st instead of 112th
How Can You Remember the Correct Form?
Think about the end of each number. Does the number end in 1, 2, or 3? If not, you’re most likely going to stick with -th. And remember the exception for 11, 12, and 13 – they always take -th, regardless of what the last digit is.
In Summary
Pretty straightforward, right? You just need to keep these simple guidelines in mind. By understanding how to use -st, -nd, -rd, and -th properly, your writing will be cleaner and you’ll avoid common mistakes. This is particularly useful in formal writing, where precision and accuracy reflect your credibility and attention to detail. So next time you want to express an ordinal number, think about its position and form it correctly.
