Common Mistake: Using the Wrong Suffix for Ordinal Numbers

Ordinals numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series. They typically end with a suffix such as "-st", "-nd", "-rd", or "-th". While using ordinal numbers may seem simple, it's common to see mistakes in the choice of suffix.

1. Incorrect Suffix with Ordinal Numbers

One common mistake is using the wrong suffix for an ordinal number. Let's take a look at some examples:

• Incorrect: 21th birthday
• Correct: 21st birthday

• Incorrect: 3rd place
• Correct: 3rd place

• Incorrect: 12nd anniversary
• Correct: 12th anniversary

As you can see, the incorrect use of the suffix can change the meaning of the sentence or render it grammatically incorrect.

2. Knowing the Correct Suffixes

Understanding the correct suffixes to use with different numbers can help you avoid this common mistake. Here are some rules to remember:

• For numbers ending in 1 (except for numbers that end in 11), use "-st". For example, 1st, 21st, 31st.
• For numbers ending in 2, use "-nd". For example, 2nd, 22nd, 32nd.
• For numbers ending in 3, use "-rd". For example, 3rd, 23rd, 33rd.
• For all other numbers, use "-th". For example, 4th, 11th, 100th.

Linguix Grammar Checker to Avoid These Mistakes

To ensure your writing is free from common grammar mistakes, you can use the Linguix grammar checker. It will identify incorrect suffixes for ordinal numbers, among other grammar and spelling errors. With Linguix, you can write confidently, knowing that your mistakes will be caught and corrected.