Ah, the English language, filled with its quirks and idiosyncrasies. Among its many rules and exceptions, one that often confuses learners is the correct way to write ordinal numbers such as “102nd” or “102th”. It’s a small but important detail, especially for those preparing for English language proficiency tests like IELTS. So, let’s dive into this puzzling topic and shed some light on the matter.
First things first, let’s establish the correct form: “102nd” is the proper way to write the ordinal number for 102. The suffix “-nd” is used here, which follows the general rule for ordinal numbers ending in “2”, “3”, “4”, and so on. Conversely, we would write “101st” for 101, “103rd” for 103, and “104th” for 104.
Why is it written this way? Well, in English, ordinal numbers are formed by adding a suffix to cardinal numbers. For most numbers, we add “-th” to indicate an ordinal position. For example, “fourth” comes from “four”. However, there are a few exceptions where we use different suffixes, such as “-st”, “-nd”, and “-rd”. These exceptions occur with numbers ending in 1, 2, and 3, respectively. So, it’s “1st” for first, “2nd” for second, and “3rd” for third.
Now that we understand the rule, let’s see it in action with some examples:
1. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th: These are the basic ordinal numbers that we use frequently. “The 1st of January,” “The 2nd place winner,” “The 3rd book in the series,” and “The 4th time I’ve told you.”
2. 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th: These numbers also follow the regular rule. “The 11th hour,” “The 12th floor,” “The 13th attempt,” and “The 14th day of the month.”
3. 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th: Here, we see the suffix “-st” after numbers ending in 1, such as 21 and 22. “The 21st century,” “The 22nd chapter,” “The 23rd card,” and “The 24th birthday.”
4. 102nd, 203rd, 514th: Numbers ending in 2, 3, and 4 take the suffix “-nd”, “-rd”, and “-th” respectively. “The 102nd episode,” “The 203rd anniversary,” and “The 514th page.”
So, remember, when writing the ordinal number for 102, it is “102nd”, not “102th”. The “-nd” suffix must be used consistently with numbers ending in 2, 3, 4, and the other exceptions we’ve discussed. Using the correct form demonstrates your understanding and mastery of English grammar, which will undoubtedly impress examiners and boost your IELTS scores.
In conclusion, mastering ordinal numbers may seem like a small and tedious task, but it plays a significant role in communicating effectively in English. Understanding the rule for forming ordinal numbers and applying it correctly will help you navigate this area of grammar with confidence. So, whether it’s the 102nd episode of your favorite TV show or the 1st day of your IELTS preparation, remember to use the appropriate form and impress others with your linguistic finesse.