When writing or speaking in English, it’s crucial to use the correct form of words and numbers. This includes knowing the correct way to write ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series, such as “first,” “second,” or “30th.”
The correct form is 30th, not 30rd. When writing ordinal numbers, the suffixes -st, -nd, -rd, or -th are added to the cardinal number based on the last digit. For example, 1 becomes 1st, 2 becomes 2nd, and 3 becomes 3rd. However, numbers ending in 0 always take the -th suffix, making it 30th.
This rule helps in writing dates or ranking positions clearly and correctly. For instance, if you’re marking an anniversary, you would write “30th anniversary” to indicate the correct sequence. Misusing these suffixes can confuse readers and appear unprofessional in written communication.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
Let’s start with the basics. What are ordinal numbers? Unlike cardinal numbers that tell us “how many,” ordinal numbers tell us “in what order.” For instance, if you were running in a race and you finished third, “third” would be the ordinal number indicating your position.
Common Mistakes with Ordinal Numbers
Sometimes, when writing ordinal numbers, especially in their shortened forms, people make mistakes. This usually happens with numbers that are less familiar or less commonly used. You might see someone write “30rd” instead of the correct form.
What is the Proper Usage?
Have you ever seen someone write “30rd” and wondered if it was correct? It’s actually not. To form most ordinal numbers, you simply add -th, -st, -nd, or -rd to the end of a cardinal number based on specific rules. For example, “first (1st),” “second (2nd),” and “third (3rd).” But after that, most numbers will end in -th, like “fourth (4th)” or “fifth (5th).”
For numbers like 30, which ends with a zero, the correct ordinal form would be “30th.”
Examples of Ordinal Numbers
- First (1st) – Your first day at a new job is always memorable.
- Second (2nd) – When you ask for a second helping, you’re saying you’d like more food.
- Twenty-fifth (25th) – Many people celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a big party.
Why “30th” and Not “30rd”?
Why do we say “30th” and not “30rd”? It’s all about the pattern. Numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 (like 21, 22, or 23) are an exception and follow the -st, -nd, -rd pattern only if they don’t share the last digit of a ‘teen’ number. Ever noticed how “11th”, “12th”, “13th” break the usual pattern despite ending with 1, 2, and 3?
For “30”, since it ends in zero, the general rule applies and we use -th.
Where this Rule Applies
This rule isn’t just for talking about birthdays or anniversaries. Think about organizing events or competitions. Knowing how to write ordinal numbers correctly shows attention to detail and helps in clear communication.
Imagine you’re mentoring a class, and you need to discuss the order of presentations. You’d say, “Elena will go tenth, and Arjun will present 30th.”
Practical Tips to Remember
How can you avoid making mistakes with ordinal numbers? Here’s a simple trick: always think about the final digit of the number. If it ends in 1, and the number is not 11, think of “1st”. If it ends in 2, and it’s not 12, it’s “2nd”. Ends in 3 and it’s not 13? It’s “3rd”. For everything else, “th” will probably be your best bet.
Apps and programs like Word processors generally correct these errors for you, but it’s always good to know the rules yourself.
By understanding these simple rules, you can always be sure you’re using numbers in the right way, whether it’s writing a date on an invitation or marking down milestones.
Final Thoughts
Remember, mastering the use of ordinal numbers is easy with a bit of practice. Every time you see a number, quiz yourself on its ordinal form. You will start to find it natural after a while, and before you know it, errors like “30rd” will look as strange as they actually are!
In summary, “30th” is always the right way to refer to something that is numbered thirty in a series. Next time you’re writing or speaking, this handy tip will ensure you are correct.
So, when is your next meeting? Hopefully, you can now confidently say it’s on the “30th” without second-guessing yourself!
Simple rules like this one are important, and they help keep our communication clear and professional. What’s the next rule you plan to tackle in English grammar?
