How to Read Ordinal Numbers in English

The Basics

Ordinal numbers are numbers that indicate the position or order of something. To read ordinal numbers, the rules are straightforward. Usually, we just add the suffix \"-th\" to the cardinal number. For example, 1 becomes 1st, 2 becomes 2nd, 3 becomes 3rd, and so on. However, there are some exceptions to these rules. For numbers ending in 1, use \"-st\". For numbers ending in 2, use \"-nd\". And, for numbers ending in 3, use \"-rd\". All other numbers use \"-th\".

Tricky Ordinal Numbers

There are some tricky ordinal numbers that do not follow the typical suffix rules. For example, 11th, 12th, and 13th all end with \"-th\" instead of using the \"-st\", \"-nd\", or \"-rd\" suffixes. Other tricky ordinal numbers include 21st, 31st, 41st, and so on. In these cases, the last two digits are considered as a single number, and the appropriate suffix is added. Therefore, 21st is pronounced \"twenty-first\", and 31st is pronounced \"thirty-first\". Another tricky case is the number 0, which uses the ordinal word \"zeroth\", but is not commonly used in everyday speech.

Practice and Exceptions

While the rules and exceptions may seem complicated, the best way to improve is to practice. However, there are some additional exceptions that can further complicate things. When reading a date, the ordinal number is placed before the month. For example, \"June 1st\" would be pronounced \"June first\". Another exception is when reading certain titles. For example, \"King Henry VIII\" uses \"VIII\" as a Roman numeral rather than an ordinal number. Therefore, it is pronounced \"King Henry the eighth\". In conclusion, reading ordinal numbers in English requires a basic understanding of the rules and some exceptions. However, with practice, it becomes more natural and intuitive. Remember to pay attention to the tricky numbers and exceptions, and continue practicing to achieve a more confident and accurate reading of ordinal numbers.