When it comes to writing dates, the correct ordinal number to use after the number 22 is “22nd.” This is because the suffix “nd” is the correct one to indicate that the number 22 is in the ordinal form.
In English, ordinals are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series. They are formed by adding a suffix to the cardinal number (the basic form of a number) to indicate its position in the series. For most numbers, the ordinal form is created by adding “-th” to the end. For example, “1” becomes “1st,” “2” becomes “2nd,” and “3” becomes “3rd.”
So why then, does the number 22 break this pattern? Well, this is one of the few exceptions in English where the suffix “-nd” is used instead of “-th.” The reason for this exception lies in the pronunciation of the word.
If we were to say “22th,” it would sound awkward and unfamiliar. The “-th” sound at the end of the word “twenty” does not blend well with the “-th” sound at the end of the ordinal suffix. On the other hand, when we say “22nd,” the sound of the “n” brings a smoother transition between the two sounds. This is why “22nd” is the correct form to use.
To further illustrate this point, let’s take a look at some examples:
– The 1st of January is a public holiday.
– We will be hosting a party on the 2nd of February.
– She was born on the 3rd of March.
As you can see, we use the “-st” suffix for the number 1, the “-nd” suffix for the number 2, and the “-rd” suffix for the number 3. From the number 4 onwards, we revert back to the “-th” suffix.
It’s important to note that this exception applies specifically to the numbers ending in 2. All other numbers follow the general rule of using the “-th” suffix beyond 3. For example:
– I have a dentist appointment on the 5th of May.
– Their wedding anniversary is on the 10th of July.
– The conference starts on the 15th of September.
By now, it should be clear that “22nd” is the correct form to use in writing. While it may seem odd that one number breaks the general pattern, it is simply a linguistic quirk that we have come to accept and use in our everyday communication. So, the next time you are writing a date and you come across the number 22, remember to use “22nd” to maintain proper English grammar.