Writing Ordinal Numbers
Objectives
- Recognize general writing rules for ordinal numbers
- Use general writing rules for ordinal numbers
Vocabulary
- position
- chronological
- rank, ranking
- sequence
- sequential
- series
Reading
Ordinal numbers are used for organizing. These numbers put things in order for a list. Ordinal numbers answer the question, “what position is this thing in?” Ordinal numbers identify the order of things.
Ordinal numbers have two forms–spelled out and numerals with suffixes.
Spelled out
first
second
third
fourth, etc.
Numerals with Suffixes
1st
2nd
3rd
4th, etc.
Basic Writing Rule
A basic writing rule is to spell out cardinal numbers first through ninth just like the cardinal numbers one through nine.
Use ordinal numbers in the following examples.
Example 1: Sequential lists
Actions can be in a sequence. One action comes after another. We need to identify the sequential order. For example,
Doing laundry:
- First, put all of the dark clothes in one pile.
- Second, put the dark clothes into the washing machine.
- Third, put the laundry detergent (soap) into the machine.
- Fourth, close the door.
- Fifth, choose the correct setting for dark clothes.
- Sixth, start the washing machine.
In this basic sequence for doing the laundry, the steps must be followed in order.
Your Turn
Example 2: Chronological Order
The word chronological comes from Greek. Chrono refers to time and logic means reason. Chronological order puts events into order based on time. For example, a family’s birth order:
- The first child is a son.
- The second child is a son.
- The third child is a daughter. And so on.
Your Turn
Answer the following questions.
- Who was the first born in your family?
- Who was the second born in your family?
- Who was the third born in your family?
Share your answers with a classmate.
Example 3: Rank Order
Rank order or “ranking” counts the place or position that someone is in with a competitive sport.
Rank order also refers to the quality of a business or product. For example,
- She came in second place at the tennis match.
- One day I will buy a first-class ticket on an airplane.
Think about a car race. There is a blue car, a yellow car, and a red car in a race. The blue car wins the race. The yellow car is next, and the red car is last. We put them in rank order by saying the following:
The blue car was first. The yellow car was second. The red car was third.
Example 4: Position
Ordinal numbers help us to understand where things and people are. Ordinal numbers track the position of things and people around us. For example,
waiting in line:
- I was fourth in line. I was the last customer.
- Then, I was third in line.
- Now, I am second in line to pay for my food.
- Next, I will be first in line.
Your Turn
Read the following list of colors.
Red Green Purple Orange Gray Blue Yellow Black White
Answer the questions below.
Another example is giving directions.
- Her office is the second day on the right.
- Take a left at the third stop sign.
- The house is the fourth one of the left.
Example 5: Dates
Ordinal numbers refer to the specific day in a month. For example,
April 15 is pronounced “April fifteenth”. Notice the date is not written with the ordinal suffix. For example,
- April 15 is Tax Day in the United States.
- NOT April 15th is Tax Day.
On the other hand, if the date comes before the month, then the ordinal suffix is used. For example,
- The birthday party is on the second of May.
- Tax Day is the 15th of April.
Example 6: Centuries
Spell out ordinal numbers below ninth. For example,
- The third century
Use numbers for numbers 10 or higher. For example,
- The 21st century
Example 7: School Grades
Spell out ordinal numbers below ninth. For example,
- Those children are in second grade.
Use numbers for numbers 10 or higher. For example,
- That is a 10th grade class.
Example 8: Fractions
We will introduce the language of fractions in the Fractions chapter.
