When it comes to ordinal numbers, such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on, it is crucial to know the correct way to write them. The title of this article poses a question that many students and even native English speakers may struggle with: is it correct to write “24th” or “24rd”?
To answer this question, let’s first review some basic rules of ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series. They are formed by adding the suffix “-th” to cardinal numbers, such as twenty-four, to give us twenty-fourth. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, and twenty-fourth happens to be one of them.
In most cases, when the cardinal number ends in “one,” the suffix “-st” is added to form the ordinal number. For example, we write “21st” for twenty-first and “31st” for thirty-first. Similarly, when the cardinal number ends in “two,” “three,” or “nine,” we add the suffix “-rd” to form the ordinal number. Hence, we write “23rd” for twenty-third and “29th” for twenty-ninth.
With this understanding, we can confidently say that the correct way to write the ordinal number for 24 is “24th,” not “24rd.” This is because the cardinal number ends in “four,” not “three,” making it fall into the category where “-th,” instead of “-rd,” is added.
To further clarify this point, let’s look at a list of examples:
– 1st (first)
– 2nd (second)
– 3rd (third)
– 4th (fourth)
– 5th (fifth)
– 6th (sixth)
– 7th (seventh)
– 8th (eighth)
– 9th (ninth)
– 10th (tenth)
– 11th (eleventh)
– 12th (twelfth)
– 13th (thirteenth)
– 14th (fourteenth)
– 15th (fifteenth)
– 16th (sixteenth)
– 17th (seventeenth)
– 18th (eighteenth)
– 19th (nineteenth)
– 20th (twentieth)
– 21st (twenty-first)
– 22nd (twenty-second)
– 23rd (twenty-third)
– 24th (twenty-fourth)
– 25th (twenty-fifth)
As you can see from this list, the pattern remains consistent until we reach “24th.” From there onwards, we simply add the suffix “-th” to all the cardinal numbers.
In conclusion, the correct way to write the ordinal number for 24 is “24th.” Remember to pay attention to the ending of the cardinal number when forming ordinal numbers to ensure accuracy. Understanding the rules for ordinal numbers will not only help you write them correctly but also enhance your overall command of the English language. Hang on to these rules, and you’ll never be confused about whether it’s “24th” or “24rd” again.