When it comes to ordinal numbers, we often find ourselves unsure of whether to use “nd” or “rd” at the end. Indeed, the English language can be tricky in this respect, but fear not, for I am here to shed light on this matter. So, let’s dive right in and explore the world of ordinal numbers!
To determine whether to use “nd” or “rd,” we need to understand how these suffixes work. In general, ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series or sequence. For example, when we talk about the number 63, we can say it is the “sixty-third” or “63rd” number in the sequence. Here, we encounter the first instance of the suffix we are discussing.
When the number ends in 1, 2, or 3, we use “st,” “nd,” or “rd” respectively to form the ordinal numbers. In the case of 63, as it does not end in 1, 2, or 3, we would naturally expect to use “th,” making it “63rd.” However, this is where things can get a bit confusing.
The reason for this confusion lies in the pronunciation of the word. When we say “sixty-third,” it sounds like there should be a “d” at the end, leading some people to mistakenly write “63nd” instead. However, the correct form is indeed “63rd,” as counterintuitive as it may seem.
To make things clearer, let’s look at some other examples. Consider the number 22. In ordinal form, we would say “twenty-second,” not “22nd.” Similarly, for the number 51, we would say “fifty-first,” not “51st.” So, the pattern emerges that when a number ends in any digit other than 1, 2, or 3, we always use “th” to form the ordinal number.
However, it’s important to point out that when the number ends in 11, 12, or 13, we don’t follow the usual pattern. Instead of saying “eleventeenth,” “twelveteenth,” or “thirteenth,” which sounds quite awkward, we revert to the “st,” “nd,” and “rd” suffixes respectively. For example, we would say “113th” as “one hundred and thirteenth,” not “one hundred and thirtieth-third.”
Ultimately, it all comes down to pronunciation. The suffixes “nd” and “rd” may sound tempting, but they are not used for most ordinal numbers. So, next time you find yourself writing a number in its ordinal form, remember to stick with “th” unless you’re dealing with 11, 12, or 13.
In conclusion, the correct form is “63rd,” not “63nd.” Regardless of how tempting it may be to include those extra letters, a proper understanding of ordinal numbers and their pronunciation will guide you in using the right suffix. So, embrace the elegant simplicity of the English language and confidently navigate the world of ordinal numbers!