When it comes to expressing ordinal numbers in English, it can sometimes be confusing to determine the correct suffix to use. Many English learners often struggle with whether to use “th” or “nd” when indicating a numerical position, such as in the case of “100th” or “100nd.” In this article, we will explore the correct usage and provide you with a clear understanding. So, let’s dive in!
Firstly, it is important to note that “th” is the standard suffix used for most ordinal numbers. It is added to the end of a cardinal number to indicate a position in a series or a rank. For example, we say “first,” “second,” and “third” for the numbers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The suffix “th” is appended to all the other numbers to form the corresponding ordinal numbers, such as “fourth,” “fifth,” “sixth,” and so on.
Now, when we reach the number “100,” it poses a unique circumstance. Instead of “nd” as we might expect, we continue using “th.” Therefore, we correctly write “100th” to indicate the ordinal position of the number 100 in a series. This is because “100th” is a specific case where the “th” suffix is consistently employed.
To understand this better, let’s consider some examples:
1. We celebrated our 100th episode of the podcast last week.
2. She was the 100th person to cross the finish line in the race.
3. The company recently marked its 100th anniversary.
In each of these examples, we use “100th” to indicate the 100th episode, the 100th person, and the 100th anniversary. It is essential to remember this exception for the number “100” and to always use “100th” in such scenarios.
On the other hand, if we were talking about the number 102, for instance, we would use the ordinal number “102nd.” Here, the “nd” suffix is used to indicate the position of 102 in a series. This follows the standard rule of adding “nd” to ordinal numbers ending in “2” like “second” or “twenty-second.”
Let’s look at some examples to clarify:
1. The book I’m reading is on its 102nd page.
2. Today is our 102nd day of quarantine.
3. Sarah came in 102nd place in the spelling bee competition.
As you can see, in these examples, we appropriately use “102nd” to convey the ordinal position for the number 102.
In conclusion, the correct usage is “100th” for the number 100 and “102nd” for the number 102. While the majority of ordinal numbers in English use the “th” suffix, the number “100” is an exception where “100th” is consistently employed. Understanding this exceptional case allows you to confidently and accurately express ordinal numbers in your English writing and speaking. Keep practicing and remember to pay attention to larger numbers where exceptions may occur.
If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy mastering the English language and all its intricacies!