When you’re writing or speaking in English, there are certain rules you need to follow to make sure your audience understands you clearly. This is very important when it comes to numbers and how to write them, especially when they are part of a bigger phrase like “16th street” or “my 16th birthday”. So, let’s talk about “16st” and “16th”. Which is correct and why?
The correct form is 16th, not 16st. In English, ordinal numbers are used to show position or order. For numbers ending in 6, the correct ordinal suffix is “th”, hence, sixteenth becomes 16th. For example, if you are talking about a birthday, you would say, “Today is my 16th birthday.”
Always remember to apply this rule when writing or speaking about order in English. It helps in making your sentences clear and accurately understood. For instance, in a race, you would say, “He finished in the 16th place.”
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
Firstly, let’s look at what we call these types of numbers. “First,” “second,” “third,” and so forth are called ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers tell us about the position of something in a list. For example, if you’re third in line, it means there are two people ahead of you. Simple, right?
Now, each ordinal number has a way to be written. We usually add a two-letter suffix to the end of a base number. That’s how “1” becomes “1st,” “2” becomes “2nd,” and “3” becomes “3rd”.
Where Do These Suffixes Come From?
English can seem complicated, but there’s always a little pattern to help you. Can you think of how we usually write the ordinal form of ten? Yes, it’s “10th”. The “th” at the end is your clue about most ordinal numbers.
In fact, when we look at larger numbers, we continue this pattern: for example, “15th”, “20th”, or even “100th”. They all end with “th”. So, what makes them stick to this trend? Let’s look at consistency and language rules.
Exceptions to the Rule
As with any rule, there are always exceptions. For the first three numbers, we do things a bit differently. Instead of “1th”, we say “first” or “1st”. Instead of “2th”, it’s “second” or “2nd”. And instead of “3th”, we say “third” or “3rd”.
So, why do we switch back to “th” for most of the other numbers? It’s just the pattern in the English language that we reasonably stick to. This pattern helps everyone understand exactly what we mean when we say “16th birthday”. There’s no room for confusion.
Which is Correct: “16st” or “16th”?
Given what we’ve discussed about patterns and exceptions with ordinal numbers, think about this: does “16st” follow the pattern? It doesn’t, right? The correct form is definitely “16th”. That’s because 16 isn’t one of the special exceptions like 1, 2, or 3. Those early numbers are special indeed! But at the number 16, we’re back to following the usual rules.
Why it’s important to get right
Imagine you’re giving someone directions and you tell them to turn at “16st Avenue”. They might get a bit confused. Is this a special place with a unique name? It’s much clearer to say “16th Avenue”. It sounds right, and it matches the pattern of all the other numbered streets they’re used to.
Using the right form makes things easier for everyone. It’s all about being understood accurately!
Examples in Everyday Use
- My 16th birthday was a day to remember!
- She celebrated her 25th anniversary.
- The runner finished 9th in the race.
- Our team ranked 10th in the competition.
- They moved into the house on 5th May Street.
Wrapping It Up
So, now you see why “16th” is correct and “16st” isn’t. When you’re talking about places in order, the right terms help everyone know exactly what you mean. They keep your writing and speaking clear, and they show that you’ve got a good handle on English—a key step in becoming a fluent speaker!
To make sure you remember, always check—the rule follows for most numbers, except those first few. You’re on your way to being spot on with your ordinals before you know it!
Isn’t English interesting? Once you see the patterns, it makes a lot more sense. Do you need any more examples to help you understand better? Or maybe a little quiz to test what you’ve learned? Just think, how many more numbers can you now correctly turn into ordinals?
Keep practicing, and you’ll find that these rules become second nature. Happy learning!
