Understanding Ordinal Numbers - Guide and Examples | Testbook.com

Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS

Ordinal numbers play a vital role in our daily life as they are used to represent position or order in a list. They differ from cardinal numbers, which are used to show quantity. Ordinal numbers provide a sense of hierarchy, sequence or completion of a particular order. They are typically formed by adding a suffix to the end of a number.

What are Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers are those that represent position or order. They are usually suffixed with -st, -nd, -rd, or -th. Here are some examples to illustrate:

  • My house is the 25th one on the left.
  • He finished the race in the 4th position.

What are Cardinal Numbers?

Cardinal numbers, on the other hand, are used to represent quantity. Here are some examples:

  • She has two cats and three dogs.
  • He bought ten books from the bookstore.

Guidelines for Writing Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are written by adding a suffix to the cardinal number. Here are some rules to follow:

  • When the number ends with 1, add the suffix -st (except for 11th).
  • When the number ends with 2, add the suffix -nd (except for 12th).
  • When the number ends with 3, add the suffix -rd (except for 13th).
  • When the number ends with 0 or any number from 4 to 9, add the suffix -th.
  • Add the suffix -th to any number ending in 11, 12, or 13.

SSC CHSL Online Coaching 2025: Enroll in Best Online Coaching With India’s SuperTeachers

Get 3 Months SuperCoaching @ just

₹2499 ₹419

Your Total Savings ₹2080
Purchase Now

List of Ordinal Numbers
  • First (1st)
  • Second (2nd)
  • Third (3rd)
  • Fourth (4th)
  • Fifth (5th)
  • Sixth (6th)
  • Seventh (7th)
  • Eighth (8th)
  • Ninth (9th)
  • Tenth (10th)
  • Eleventh (11th)
  • Twelfth (12th)
  • Thirteenth (13th)
  • Twentieth (20th)
  • Twenty-first (21st)
  • Twenty-second (22nd)
  • Twenty-third (23rd)
  • Twenty-fourth (24th)
  • Thirtieth (30th)

More Articles for English Grammar

Frequently Asked Questions

Ordinal numbers can be written as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. or in words like first, second, etc. With the cardinal numbers, we add suffixes to change them into ordinal numbers.

Ordinal numbers are the numbers used to determine the position of a thing, whereas the cardinal numbers are used to determine the quantity of a thing.

Yes, the ordinal numbers can be used in sentences like, Saran came first in the 100 m running competition. She lives in the 5th building of the first main road. Her father is so excited to have a first glance at his child.

Test Series
233.9k Students
Current Affairs (CA) 2025 Mega Pack for SSC/Railways/State Exam Mock Test
431 TOTAL TESTS | 4 Free Tests
  • 168 Topic Specific
  • 52 Weekly Revision
  • 24 Monthly Digest
  • 12 Need-to-Know NEWS
  • 96 State Specific
  • 10 Previous Year Questions
  • 17 Revision 2024
  • 52 Advanced Current Affairs

Get Started
Report An Error