Common mistake number + (th, nd, st, rd)

Common Mistake: Number + (th, nd, st, rd)

One common mistake that many people make in English is incorrectly using number ordinals like "th", "nd", "st", and "rd" when writing dates or indicating a sequence.

When to Use Ordinals

Ordinals are used to show the position or order of something in a series or a sequence. They are added to cardinal numbers (numbers that represent quantity or count) to create ordinals.

For example:

  • 1st (first)
  • 2nd (second)
  • 3rd (third)
  • 4th (fourth)
  • 5th (fifth)

Ordinals are commonly used when:

  • Referring to dates: March 1st, 2022
  • Indicating order: She came in 3rd place.
  • Enumerating items in a list: My top 5 favorite movies are...

Common Mistake: Number + (th, nd, st, rd)

The common mistake occurs when people incorrectly use the ordinals with numbers that are not cardinal numbers but rather serve a different purpose.

For example:

  • "I met him on the 25th of May." (Incorrect)

The correct way to write this would be:

  • "I met him on the 25th day of May." (Correct)

Another example:

  • "She lives on the 3rd floor." (Incorrect)

The correct way to write this would be:

  • "She lives on the third floor." (Correct)

This mistake can often be spotted by recognizing that the number in these instances is not representing quantity or count, but rather serving a different function within the sentence.

About Linguix Grammar Checker

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Linguix Grammar Checker provides an excellent tool to detect and correct many grammar mistakes, including the incorrect usage of number ordinals. With Linguix, you can be confident that your writing is error-free and professionally polished.

number + (th, nd, st, rd) mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    He arrived on the 8 th.

    Correct:
    He arrived on the 8th.

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