When it comes to using numbers in written English, it is important to understand the difference between 18 and 18th. Many English learners find this confusing, but fear not! I am here to shed some light on this issue.
Firstly, let’s start with the number 18. This is a cardinal number, which is used to denote quantity or order in a series. For example, you might say, “There are 18 students in the classroom,” or “I have been waiting for 18 minutes.” In both cases, 18 is used to represent a specific quantity or amount.
On the other hand, 18th is an ordinal number. Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something. For example, you might say, “He finished in 18th place in the race,” or “We will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary next month.” In both cases, 18th is used to indicate the specific position or order of something.
To better understand the difference, let’s consider some examples:
1. “She arrived on the 18th of September.”
In this sentence, we use 18th because we are referring to the specific order or position of the date in September.
2. “I have 18 books on my bookshelf.”
Here, we use 18 because we are simply stating the quantity of books on the bookshelf. There is no indication of order or position.
3. “It took me 18 minutes to solve the puzzle.”
Again, 18 is used here to indicate the specific amount of time it took to solve the puzzle. There is no reference to position or order.
4. “She was the 18th person in line at the coffee shop.”
In this sentence, we use 18th because it denotes the specific position of the person in line. It indicates that there are 17 people in front of her.
As you can see from these examples, the use of 18 or 18th depends on whether you want to express quantity or order. If you’re talking about a specific number or amount, use 18. If you’re discussing a position or order, use 18th.
Remember, cardinal numbers (such as 18) denote quantity or amount, while ordinal numbers (such as 18th) indicate position or order.
In conclusion, both 18 and 18th are correct, but they have different uses. Understanding when to use each one will improve your written English skills and avoid confusion. So, next time you’re writing a sentence involving numbers, consider whether you’re expressing quantity or order, and choose 18 or 18th accordingly.