When you hear someone talk about a special anniversary or a milestone, you might have heard phrases like "50th anniversary" or "100th birthday." Have you ever stopped to wonder why we say "50th" instead of "50st"? Let’s break it down and look into this.
The correct form is 50th. When writing ordinal numbers, the last two letters of the written word are used. For example, “first” becomes 1st, “second” becomes 2nd, and “fifty” becomes 50th. This rule applies to all numbers ending in zero after twenty.
Let’s use it in a sentence: “She celebrated her 50th birthday with a surprise party.” This shows how the ordinal number is used to mark the significance of the event, indicating it’s her fiftieth celebration.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers
First, let’s talk about ordinal numbers. These are numbers that tell the position of something in a sequence. For example, "first," "second," and "third" are ordinal numbers.
Formation of Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are formed by adding a suffix to the base cardinal number. For the numbers one, two, and three, we have special forms:
- First
- Second
- Third
For other numbers, the process is a bit more straightforward. You usually add "th" to the end of the cardinal number. However, there are a few more exceptions. Let’s look at them.
Special Cases
Numbers that end in 1, 2, or 3 (like 21, 22, 23) get special endings:
- Numbers ending in 1 get "-st" (e.g., 21st, 31st)
- Numbers ending in 2 get "-nd" (e.g., 22nd, 32nd)
- Numbers ending in 3 get "-rd" (e.g., 23rd, 33rd)
But there’s a trick! If the number ends in 11, 12, or 13, it doesn’t follow this rule and instead ends with "th" (e.g., 11th, 12th, 13th).
So, 50th or 50st?
Think about what we just learned. How does the number 50 end? Right, it ends in a 0. This means it follows the general rule of adding "th" to the cardinal number. So, it’s "50th."
Real-life Application
Think about a time when someone celebrated their 50th birthday or a company celebrated its 50th anniversary. They likely had decorations that said "Happy 50th!" Using the correct form makes it sound right and helps everyone understand the significance of the milestone.
Examples in Everyday Use
- My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
- This is the 50th time I’ve told you to clean your room!
- She ran a marathon on her 50th birthday to celebrate.
Why Does This Matter?
Why bother about such small details? Well, using language correctly helps us to communicate more effectively. If you say "50st anniversary," it might confuse people or sound incorrect, just like wearing socks with sandals doesn’t make a good style statement.
Summary and Quick Tips
So, always say "50th" for the number 50. Remembering the basic rule that numbers ending in anything other than 1, 2, or 3 (except for 11, 12, 13) use "th" can save you from mistakes. Next time you write a card or make a banner for a celebration, you’ll have no doubts about how to write the ordinal form.
Here’s a quick tip: Just think about how the number ends and match it with the right suffix:
- Ends in 1? Add "st" (but remember the exceptions!)
- Ends in 2? Add "nd".
- Ends in 3? Add "rd".
- Everything else? It’s safe to go with "th".
By understanding these simple rules, you can make sure your numbers are always dressed right in their proper ordinals. It’s like making sure your shoes are on the right feet before you walk out the door—a small but important detail!
