When it comes to ordinal numbers, it’s common for English learners to stumble upon the difference between “st” and “th.” It’s easy to get confused, but don’t worry, I’m here to shed some light on this linguistic puzzle. So, without further ado, let’s unravel the mystery and find out whether it should be “40st” or “40th.”
Firstly, it’s important to note that “st” and “th” are suffixes added to cardinal numbers to indicate their ordinal forms. The suffix “st” is used for numbers ending in 1 (such as 1st, 21st, etc.), the suffix “nd” is used for numbers ending in 2 (such as 2nd, 22nd, etc.), and the suffix “rd” is used for numbers ending in 3 (such as 3rd, 23rd, etc.). However, when it comes to numbers ending in 4 or higher, we always use the suffix “th.”
Let’s take a look at some examples to illustrate this rule. Imagine you are hosting a race, and there are three participants. The first one to cross the finish line would be the “1st” runner, since “1” ends in the digit 1. Similarly, the second runner would be the “2nd” runner, as “2” ends in the digit 2. Now, imagine a different scenario where there are 40 participants in the race. The participant who finishes in 40th place would be the one who crosses the line last, indicated by the “th” ending, rather than 40st.
This rule applies universally to all numbers higher than three. For instance, would you say “14st” or “14th” for the ordinal form of the number 14? The correct answer is “14th.” Likewise, the ordinal form of 32 is “32nd,” and the ordinal form of 99 is “99th.” So, in the case of 40, it’s clear that “40th” is the correct choice.
Understanding this rule is crucial for academic and language proficiency exams like IELTS. These tests often include tasks that require writing about numerical data or expressing rankings, and using the correct ordinal form is vital to convey accurate information. Consequently, misuse of “40st” instead of “40th” may negatively impact your score.
In conclusion, when it comes to the ordinal form of the number 40, “40th” is the correct choice. Remember that “st” is only used for numbers ending in 1, “nd” for numbers ending in 2, “rd” for numbers ending in 3, and “th” for all other numbers. This easy-to-follow rule will ensure you always use the appropriate ordinal form, whether you’re hosting a race or acing an English exam. Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the world of ordinal numbers and impress others with your mastery of English grammar.