13rd or 13th – Which is Correct?

When you are writing dates, have you ever paused, pen in hand, and wondered: "How exactly do I add the ending to this number? Is it ’13rd’ or ’13th’?" Many English learners and even native speakers find themselves unsure at times, especially with those tricky, irregular numbers.

Understanding Ordinal Numbers

First off, what are ordinal numbers? Ordinal numbers represent a position or rank in a sequence, like first, second, third, and so forth. Unlike cardinal numbers—which tell us “how many” (one, two, three)—ordinal numbers tell us about the order in a group.

Rules for Forming Ordinal Numbers

Nearly all ordinal numbers end with the letters -th. For example, fourth, fifth, sixth, and so on. But as usual in English, there are exceptions! These exceptions occur primarily in the first few numbers: first (1st), second (2nd), and third (3rd).

What about larger numbers, though? This is where it can get a bit tricky. When we form ordinals from larger numbers, we still look at the last digit to figure out their ending. If a number ends in 1, its ordinal counterpart ends in -st (e.g., 21st, 31st), unless it’s 11. Numbers ending in 2 usually end with -nd (e.g., 22nd, 32nd), unless it’s 12. Numbers ending in 3 will end in -rd (e.g., 23rd, 33rd), except for 13.

Special Case: The Number 13

Now, let’s tackle the number 13. Based on our rule, you might think it becomes 13rd because it ends in three. However, this is a special case. The correct ending for 13 is -th, making it 13th.

Why this exception? It’s largely about pronunciation ease and tradition in the language. Saying ’13rd’ is a bit of a tongue-twister, while ’13th’ flows smoothly. This smoothing out of rough edges is common in language evolution.

Examples of Ordinal Numbers in Use

• Today is her **13th** birthday.
• He finished in **13th** place in the race.
• Her **13th** attempt was finally successful.

Why Does It Matter?

Getting the suffix right might seem small, but it makes a big difference in how polished your English looks and sounds. Mistakes in ordinal numbers can confuse readers or listeners and make your English seem less fluent.

Imagine you’re inviting friends over for a celebration. You write: “Join my 13rd Birthday!” Instead of focusing on the party, they might fixate on the unusual phrasing. It’s like wearing a shirt with a coffee stain; it diverts attention from the overall appearance or message.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes:

• Saying ‘2th’ instead of second (**2nd**).
• Writing ‘5st’ instead of fifth (**5th**).
• Using ’21th’ instead of twenty-first (**21st**).

Remember, paying attention to these small details can significantly boost the clarity and professionalism of your communication.

Are you keeping track of how often you use ordinal numbers? Next time you write a date or talk about order, pause a moment. Check if you’ve added the right suffix. It’s a simple check that ensures your meaning is clear.

Tips for English Learners

Here’s a simple technique to help you remember: think of the last two letters in the word as pointing to the key part of the number. For instance, in ‘second’, the ‘nd’ at the end points to the ‘2’ in ‘2nd’.

If it’s confusing to remember all the rules, keep a cheat sheet handy until it sticks. After all, practice makes perfect—or should we say, practice makes proficient!

Now, when you encounter another number like 13, you’ll know exactly how to handle it. It’s the little things in mastering a language that give you confidence and make your communication smoother and more effective. Why let a small thing like ordinal numbers slow you down?

Got it now? Great! Next time you see or write the number 13, you’ll remember – it’s always **13th**, not 13rd.