When you look at your calendar and plan for important days, have you ever stopped to think about how we write the dates, especially the tricky ones that don’t follow the usual rules? It might seem simple, but there’s actually a specific way to do it.
The correct form is 22nd. When writing ordinal numbers, the last two letters of the written word are added to the numeral. For instance, “second” ends in “nd,” so it is 22nd. Similarly, “first” ends in “st,” making it 21st. This rule helps you match numbers with their ordinal suffixes properly.
For example, when marking dates on a calendar, you would write January 22nd, not January 22st. This use helps in creating clear and correct date notations in both writing and speaking.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
First, let’s talk about ordinal numbers. These are numbers that tell the position of something in a list. For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. But when it comes to writing them, especially with dates, things can get a bit tricky.
How Do We Form Ordinal Numbers?
Basically, we take a cardinal number like 1, 2, or 22, and then we add an ending to it to show order. The endings are usually ‘st’ for 1, ‘nd’ for 2, ‘rd’ for 3, and ‘th’ for almost everything else. But why do we choose these endings, and are there exceptions to this rule?
Yes, there are exceptions! And they are crucial when we write dates. English has a way of keeping you on your toes!
Special Cases in Ordinal Numbers
Have you ever written down a date like the 21st of a month? Notice how we use ‘st’ because the number 1 ends with ‘st’. What about 22? It’s tricky because it seems like it should maybe end in ‘st’ too, but that’s not the case.
Let’s use an analogy. Imagine you are lining up for a movie. There are rules where certain numbers get certain treats. The numbers ending in 1, 2 and 3 get special endings, ‘st’, ‘nd’, and ‘rd’, but even these numbers have to follow the bigger rule if they are in the tens place.
Why ’22nd’ is Correct
Every number that ends in 2 should normally end with ‘nd’ when turned into an ordinal number. For instance, the second day of the month is written as 2nd. Now, when we move beyond 20, even though 22 ends in 2, it is actually written as 22nd, not 22st.
This is because we follow the basic rule of ordinal numbers, where the last digit decides the ending, and ignore any peculiarities the number might have because it looks similar to 1 or something else.
Clearing Confusion with Examples
Think about other numbers too. The 3rd, 23rd, or 103rd all follow this pattern, adapting the ending based on the final digit. Here are some straightforward examples to help make it clear:
- 1st (first), 11th (eleventh), 21st (twenty-first), 31st (thirty-first)
- 2nd (second), 12th (twelfth), 22nd (twenty-second), 32nd (thirty-second)
- 3rd (third), 13th (thirteenth), 23rd (twenty-third), 33rd (thirty-third)
- 4th (fourth) on upwards generally ends in ‘th’
So, when writing the date for the 22nd of any month, we make sure to use ‘nd’ because of that last number 2. It’s simple once you get the hang of it!
Making It Practical
Imagine you are marking someone’s 22nd birthday on your calendar. You wouldn’t want to make a mistake on such a special day. Always remember, it’s 22nd, just like 2nd, but a bit further down the line.
If you’ve got a digital device, you might notice this rule is used in calendars too! Most digital systems automatically use the correct ordinal number, comforting you that technology follows the same rules as us.
Quick Tricks to Remember
Still finding it tricky? Here’s a quick proverb to help you out: At the end of the day, it’s the last number in play! Just look at the last single digit, and you’ll quickly know if it should be ‘st’, ‘nd’, ‘rd’, or ‘th’.
By understanding and remembering these little rules, you ensure that your writing is neat, professional, and avoids common mistakes. Who knew that such small details could make a big difference in clarity and correctness?
In understanding why 22nd is the correct form instead of 22st, it’s essential to grasp these basic rules of ordinal numbers. By doing this, you can confidently write dates, anniversaries, and more without second-guessing yourself. It’s all about the last single digit—keep an eye on it, and you’re good to go.
