When dealing with English numerals and how they relate to ordinal indicators (those little letters after the numbers), it’s easy to get mixed up. You might see something like “15st” and wonder if it’s just a typo or a legitimate term. Let’s lay out the facts and clear any confusion.
The correct form is 15th, not 15st. In English, ordinal numbers (numbers showing order) have specific endings: -st, -nd, -rd, and -th. The ending -th is used for most numbers except for 1, 2, and 3, which are special cases.
For example, when talking about dates, we say January 15th and not January 15st. This rule helps keep our communication clear and consistent, ensuring everyone understands the sequence of events or items correctly.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
First off, ordinal numbers are numbers that show their position or order in a list. For instance, if you’re standing first in a line, the number “1st” signifies your position.
What’s the Suffix Anyway?
For numbers in English, adding a suffix like ‘th’, ‘nd’, ‘rd’, or ‘st’ helps convert a cardinal number (like 1, 2, 3) into an ordinal number (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd). But which suffix to use? That’s where a bit of basic knowledge comes in handy.
Deciding Between ‘th’, ‘st’, ‘nd’, ‘rd’
Think of the end of each number:
– Numbers ending in ‘1’ take ‘st’ (except for ’11’, which takes ‘th’).
– Numbers ending in ‘2’ take ‘nd’ (except for ’12’, which takes ‘th’).
– Numbers ending in ‘3’ take ‘rd’ (except for ’13’, which takes ‘th’).
– All other numbers, mostly those ending in 4-9 or 0, take ‘th’.
This rule helps us avoid errors when writing ordinal numbers. But let’s apply this specifically to the number 15.
Applying the Rules
The Case of “15”
Using our rules, the number 15 ends in 5. According to the rules we discussed, numbers ending in 5 always take ‘th’. Therefore, “15th” is the correct form, meaning the fifteenth item in a series.
Where Might You See ’15th’?
- My birthday falls on September 15th.
- The 15th amendment gave the right to vote regardless of race.
- She finished 15th in the marathon.
So, What About ’15st’?
You might be wondering “Where did ’15st’ come from?” It’s not common, but mistakes happen. Someone might mistakenly switch ‘st’ with ‘th’ because numerals like 21st or 31st do use ‘st’. However, this is grammatically incorrect for 15.
How to Remember the Difference
Think of the teen numbers almost all preferring the ‘th’ at the end. It’s like they belong to their own special club. Once you remember that, it’s easier to keep straight which suffix to use.
Real-Life Examples to Make It Stick
Imagine you’re handing out slices of pie at a party. If it’s your turn to get the fifteenth slice, you’d say, “I got the 15th slice!” not the “15st.” It might sound silly, but putting it into a sentence can help cement the idea.
More Than Just a Number
Every time you write a date for your birthday or mark an anniversary, you’re using ordinal numbers. They help give more information about the sequence, not just the amount. It tells us about order and position – vital details in our daily lives.
In Conclusion
So, when you come across “15st,” know it’s not the standard usage and “15th” is your go-to format. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure you’re always spot-on with your ordinals, avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring your communication is clear. Whether it’s dates, positions in a competition, or anniversaries, the correct ordinal indicator makes your intent clear. Have you found other tricky ordinals in your reading or writing? How did you solve them? Let’s keep learning and improving together, making sure every number counts in the right way.
