When it comes to writing dates in English, many non-native speakers often find themselves confused about whether to use ordinal numbers like “15th” or cardinal numbers like “15” followed by a two-letter suffix. The correct form, in this case, is “15th”, and I’ll explain why.
In English, ordinal numbers are used to express the order or position of something in a series. They are formed by adding the suffix “-th” to the cardinal number. For example, we say “first” for the number 1, “second” for 2, “third” for 3, and so on. In the case of “15”, the ordinal form is “15th”.
Using “15nd” would be incorrect because the suffix “-nd” is used for the number “2” only. For instance, we say “2nd” for the second position, “22nd” for the twenty-second position, and so on. Therefore, the form “15nd” violates the rules of English grammar.
It’s important to note that ordinal numbers are commonly used when writing dates, as they indicate the day of the month. For example, September 15th, October 31st, or January 1st. This is consistent with the way we express dates when speaking. We say, “Today is the 15th of September” or “New Year’s Day is on the 1st of January.” Using cardinal numbers instead of ordinal numbers in these cases would sound unusual and could lead to confusion.
To further illustrate this point, let’s consider a few examples:
1. “My birthday is on 15th April.” – This sentence follows the correct format, using the ordinal number “15th” to express the day of the month.
2. “I have an appointment on 15nd April.” – This sentence is incorrect as it uses the incorrect form “15nd”. It would be more appropriate to say “I have an appointment on the 15th of April.”
3. “On 15nd December, we celebrate our anniversary.” – Similarly, this sentence is incorrect and should be revised to say “On the 15th of December, we celebrate our anniversary.”
By using the proper ordinal form “15th”, we maintain consistency with how dates are spoken and written in English. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures clear communication.
In conclusion, when writing dates in English, it is important to use ordinal numbers such as “15th” to express the day of the month. The incorrect form “15nd” violates the rules of English grammar, as the suffix “-nd” is reserved for the number “2” only. By using the correct form, we maintain consistency and clarity in our writing.