You know what’s interesting? Even native English speakers often get confused when it comes to using ordinal numbers correctly. I mean, it’s not surprising, considering our beloved English language has its fair share of quirks and exceptions. But fear not, my friend, for I am here to shed some light on a particular dilemma that plagues many: Is it “21th” or “21st”? Let’s dive into the depths of English grammar and find out which one is correct once and for all.
Now, imagine this scenario: You’re planning a birthday surprise for your best friend, whose birthday falls on the 21st of September. You want to make sure everything is perfect, from the decorations to the cake. But as you sit down to finalize the invitation, you find yourself scratching your head, questioning whether it should say “21th” or “21st”. Well, the correct way to write it is “21st”.
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate a position in a series or sequence, such as first, second, third, and so on. They have a suffix added to the cardinal numbers to create this meaning. When we want to talk about the 21st position, we add the suffix “-st” to the cardinal number 21. This is true for other numbers ending in 1 as well, such as 1st, 31st, and so on.
Let me give you some more examples to illustrate this point further. Say you’re hosting a pub quiz and need to ask a question about the Shakespearean play that was written on the 21st of April. You would correctly ask, “Which play did Shakespeare write on the 21st?” Notice how “21st” is used here to indicate the specific day in the sequence of all the days in a year.
Let’s take it a step further and imagine you’re in a museum, appreciating the beauty of the 21st-century artwork. You discuss the pieces with your friend, explaining that the artwork on display is a representation of the societal changes that occurred throughout the 21st century. Again, the correct usage of “21st” highlights the position of the century in the series of centuries.
However, there is an exception to this rule when it comes to numbers ending in 11, 12, or 13. Instead of using the “-th” suffix, we use “-th” for these particular numbers. So you would write “11th”, “12th”, and “13th”. For example, if you’re talking about your niece’s 13th birthday party, you would say, “We had a blast at my niece’s 13th birthday celebration!”
To sum it all up, when indicating a position in a sequence, the correct usage is “21st”. Remember, this applies to all numbers ending in 1, except for 11, 12, and 13, which use the “-th” suffix. So go ahead, plan that perfect surprise for your friend on the 21st of September without any doubts about the correct way to write it. Your attention to detail will surely make their day even more special!
In conclusion, the correct way to write it is definitely “21st”. Using the “-st” suffix with numbers ending in 1 accurately expresses their position in a sequence. Embrace the rules of English grammar, and you will command the written language with confidence and clarity.