When it comes to writing numbers in English, there can often be confusion about how to correctly express ordinal numbers for multiples of ten, such as 80. Is it “80th” or “80rd”? Well, the correct form is “80th”. Let me explain why.
In English, ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position of something in a series or sequence. They are formed by adding the suffix “th” to the cardinal number (i.e., the number itself). This applies to most numbers, including multiples of ten like 80. For example, we say “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and so on. Therefore, it follows that we should say “80th” to indicate the position of 80 in a sequence.
To further illustrate this point, let’s consider a few examples. Imagine a race where participants are assigned numbers. If someone finishes in the 80th position, we would say, “He finished in the 80th place,” not “He finished in the 80rd place.” Similarly, if you were organizing an event and you had 80 participants, you would refer to the person in the 80th position, not the 80rd position.
Furthermore, when writing dates in English, ordinal numbers are used to indicate the day of the month. For instance, we say “January 1st,” “February 2nd,” and “March 3rd.” If the date were the 80th of any month, we would write “March 80th,” not “March 80rd.” This consistency in using “th” for all ordinal numbers, regardless of the cardinal number, reinforces the correctness of “80th” for 80.
To make things even clearer, let’s compare the use of “80th” with other numbers ending in zero. We say “10th,” “20th,” “30th,” “40th,” “50th,” “60th,” “70th,” “80th,” and “90th.” Each of these numbers follows the pattern of adding the suffix “th” to the cardinal number, demonstrating the consistency in the English language.
Overall, it is vital to use the correct form when expressing ordinal numbers. In the case of 80, “80th” is the correct and widely accepted form. By following this rule, you will ensure clarity and precision in your writing and conversation. So, the next time you need to refer to the 80th position or any other ordinal number, remember to use “80th” rather than “80rd,” and you’ll be grammatically accurate.