When writing dates, you might wonder about the right way to attach ordinal suffixes. What are ordinal suffixs, you ask? They are little additions at the end of numbers to show position like “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th.” It seems simple until you have to write them out!
The correct form is 28th. When writing ordinal numbers, the ending depends on the last digit of the number. Numbers ending in 1 use “st” (e.g., 1st, 21st), in 2 use “nd” (e.g., 2nd, 22nd), in 3 use “rd” (e.g., 3rd, 23rd), and all others use “th” (e.g., 4th, 5th, 28th).
For example, when marking a date on the calendar, you would write “My birthday is on the 28th of October.” This rule helps maintain clarity and consistency in writing dates and sequences.
Understanding Ordinal Suffixes
What are they?
Ordinal suffixes help us express the order of something. For example, if you’re standing first in line, you’re the “1st” person in line. These suffixes can be attached to any number, changing the way you say it just slightly.
Why do they matter?
Using the right suffix makes your sentence sound correct. Imagine someone saying they live on the “twenty-five two” street instead of “twenty-fifth” street. Sounds odd, right?
Which Suffixes to Use and When?
The basic rules
For numbers ending in 1, use “st” (except for 11), for numbers ending in 2, use “nd” (except for 12), and for numbers ending in 3, use “rd” (except for 13). For all the other numbers, just stick “th” at the end. That’s why we say “first,” “second,” “third,” but then go on to say “fourth,” “fifth,” and so on.
Special Exceptions
But wait, what about those tricky exceptions? It’s not all straight forward. For instance, you wouldn’t write 11st or 12nd or 13rd. These numbers are special. Instead, you say “11th,” “12th,” and “13th.” So, the rule has a tiny twist!
Case in Point: 28th or 28st?
Let’s crack the case of whether it’s “28th” or “28st.” Look at the number 28. It ends with 8, right? According to our quick rule, numbers that don’t end in 1, 2, or 3 get the “th” suffix. Simple!
So, it’s definitely “28th,” never “28st.” You would always say “twenty-eighth,” not “twenty-eightst.” That just doesn’t sound correct!
Why Does This Mistake Happen?
English can throw you curveballs. Maybe someone saw another date, like the 21st and thought that because 28 also starts with a two, it should be similar. It’s an easy mistake if you’re not keeping the rule in mind.
Real-Life Examples
- If today is my friend’s birthday, and she is turning 28, I would say, “Happy 28th birthday!”
- When marking an anniversary of an event that happened on the 28th day of a month, we would say, “Today marks the 28th anniversary.”
- In official documents, you might find a clause that starts with, “On the 28th day of September…” to indicate a specific date.
Summary and Quick Tips
So, remember, when curious about which suffix to use, think about the last number. Does it end in 1, 2, or 3? No? Then you’re almost always going to stick with “th.” That keeps things consistent and prevents those little errors that might make someone give your text a second glance for the wrong reason.
And lastly, if you’re ever unsure, how do you think this sounds to you? Say it out loud if you have to. Does “twenty-eighth” resonate better with your ear than “twenty-eightst”? Trusting your ear can often guide you right!
There you have it! Now you know it’s “28th,” not “28st.” Keep these tips in your pocket, and go ahead confidently in all your date-writing endeavors.
