When writing dates, have you ever paused to think about how you should format the ending? It’s a small detail, but it can be quite confusing at times. Today, let’s discuss the correct way of writing date suffixes, particularly when it comes to dates like the 31st of any month.
The correct form is 31st, not 31th. When writing ordinal numbers, we add specific endings like -st, -nd, -rd, or -th based on the last digit of the number. For example, 1 becomes 1st, 2 becomes 2nd, 3 becomes 3rd, and most others end in -th, such as 4th or 5th.
This rule helps in clearly marking the position or sequence of items. For instance, if you are celebrating a birthday, you would say, “Today is my 31st birthday,” indicating it’s the birthday that comes after the thirtieth.
Understanding Date Suffixes
Every number has its own way of being expressed when it comes to dates. For singles and teens, it’s pretty straightforward, but mistakes often happen when the numbers get bigger. Why is that? Well, each numeral follows specific rules for its suffix.
What Are These Suffixes?
In English, we add a little extra to numbers when they refer to the position in a sequence, like a date. This involves using ‘st’, ‘nd’, ‘rd’, and ‘th’. These small add-ons are called ordinals. But how do we decide which one to use?
- Numbers ending in 1 get ‘st’ (except for ’11’ which takes ‘th’).
- Numbers ending in 2 get ‘nd’ (except for ’12’ which takes ‘th’).
- Numbers ending in 3 get ‘rd’ (except for ’13’ which takes ‘th’).
- All other numbers take ‘th’.
Looking at the Number 31
The number 31 ends in 1. Based on our rules, numbers ending in 1 usually take ‘st’ as their suffix. There is no exception like there is with 11. So, it should be simple now! Always write 31st when talking about the thirty-first day of the month. Right?
What About ’31th’?
’31th’ might sound okay to say quickly. But it mixes the rules incorrectly. Since ’31’ ends in 1, it should always have ‘st’ after it, and not ‘th’. Saying or writing ’31th’ is not correct in any standard form of English.
Examples to Help You Understand Better
Let’s say you’re talking about your birthday or an important event on the 31st of a month. Here are some examples of how to use it correctly:
- My sister’s birthday is March 31st.
- I have an appointment on January 31st.
- He is leaving on December 31st.
Why Does It Matter?
You might wonder, why fuss over such a small detail? Well, writing dates correctly ensures clarity and professionalism. It shows that you pay attention to the finer details of your language use. Isn’t it better to say things right and feel confident about your writing?
More Tips on Remembering the Right Suffix
A simple way to not forget this is to think about how you say it. Saying ‘thirty-first’ always ends in ‘first’, right? That’s your clue that it should be ’31st’ and not ’31th’. Using this type of association can make remembering easier.
Using These Rules in Everyday Writing
Now that you know the correct usage, you can confidently write dates on invitations, in formal documents, or even in your daily journal. It’s a useful bit of knowledge that polishes your writing.
Conclusion
Remembering how to end your dates properly isn’t hard once you know the basic rules. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll never hesitate when writing dates like the 31st again. Why not impress someone with your new knowledge today?
