Learn how to use cardinal and ordinal numbers correctly in English! In this blog post, we will explain their meanings and how they are used in daily life. Cardinal numbers tell us “how many” of something there are, while ordinal numbers show the position of something in a sequence. Understanding these numbers will help you improve your English skills, especially in writing and speaking.
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1-30 Cardinal Numbers:
| 1 – One | 11 – Eleven | 21 – Twenty One |
|---|---|---|
| 2 – Two | 12 – Twelve | 22 – Twenty Two |
| 3 – Three | 13 – Thirteen | 23 – Twenty Three |
| 4 – Four | 14 – Fourteen | 24 – Twenty Four |
| 5 – Five | 15 – Fifteen | 25 – Twenty Five |
| 6 – Six | 16 – Sixteen | 26 – Twenty Six |
| 7 – Seven | 17 – Seventeen | 27 – Twenty Seven |
| 8 – Eight | 18 – Eighteen | 28 – Twenty Eight |
| 9 – Nine | 19 – Nineteen | 29 – Twenty Nine |
| 10 – Ten | 20 – Twenty | 30 – Thirty |
1st-100th Ordinal Numbers:
| 1st – First | 11th – Eleventh | 21st – Twenty-first |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd – Second | 12th – Twelfth | 22nd – Twenty-second |
| 3rd – Third | 13th – Thirteenth | 30th – Thirtieth |
| 4th – Fourth | 14th – Fourteenth | 40th – Fortieth |
| 5th – Fifth | 15th – Fifteenth | 50th – Fiftieth |
| 6th – Sixth | 16th – Sixteenth | 60th – Sixtieth |
| 7th – Seventh | 17th – Seventeenth | 70th – Seventieth |
| 8th – Eighth | 18th – Eighteenth | 80th – Eightieth |
| 9th – Ninth | 19th – Nineteenth | 90th – Ninetieth |
| 10th – Tenth | 20th – Twentieth | 100th – Hundredth |
Rules for Forming Ordinal Numbers
Numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 (except 11, 12, 13)
- 1 → 1st (First)
- 2 → 2nd (Second)
- 3 → 3rd (Third)
Numbers ending in 4 and higher, or ending in 0
- Add “th” to the number:
- 4 → 4th (Fourth)
- 5 → 5th (Fifth)
- 6 → 6th (Sixth)
- 10 → 10th (Tenth)
Exceptions: 11, 12, 13
- These numbers always take “th” instead of “st,” “nd,” or “rd”:
- 11 → 11th (Eleventh)
- 12 → 12th (Twelfth)
- 13 → 13th (Thirteenth)
Tens and Hundreds
- 20 → 20th (Twentieth)
- 30 → 30th (Thirtieth)
- 100 → 100th (Hundredth)
Numbers 21–99 (except 11, 12, 13)
- The last digit follows the normal rule:
- 21 → 21st (Twenty-first)
- 22 → 22nd (Twenty-second)
- 23 → 23rd (Twenty-third)
- 24 → 24th (Twenty-fourth)
This pattern continues for all larger numbers!
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