When it comes to numbers, it’s easy to get confused with the proper way to write them. In this case, we’re discussing whether it’s correct to write “48th” or “48rd”. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all!
The correct form to use when referring to the ordinal number for “48” is “48th”. The reason for this is quite simple. In English, when we want to indicate the position or order of something in a series, we use ordinal numbers. These numbers usually end in “-th”, “-st”, “-nd”, or “-rd” depending on the last digit of the cardinal number they are formed from.
In the case of “48”, the last digit is “8”. According to the pattern, the corresponding suffix is “-th”. Therefore, we write “48th” to represent the ordinal number for 48.
To further illustrate this point, let’s look at a few examples:
1. “He finished in 48th place in the race.”
Here, we’re indicating the position someone finished in a race. Therefore, we use the ordinal number “48th” to reflect this.
2. “This is the 48th time I’ve told you to clean your room.”
In this sentence, we’re expressing the number of times someone has been told to clean their room. Once again, we use “48th” to emphasize the order or position in the series of times.
3. “The 48th state to join the United States was Arizona.”
This example demonstrates the ordinal number used to describe the order in which states joined the United States. In this case, Arizona was the 48th state to join.
Using “48rd” instead of “48th” would be grammatically incorrect. The suffix “-rd” is only used with numbers ending in “3”, such as “3rd” (third), “13th” (thirteenth), “23rd” (twenty-third), and so on. Since “48” doesn’t end in “3”, we cannot use “-rd” as the suffix.
It’s important to remember that the correct form for writing ordinal numbers is crucial for clarity and accuracy in communication. Using the wrong suffix can lead to misunderstandings or confusion. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to the proper usage.
In conclusion, when referring to the ordinal number for “48”, it is correct to write “48th”. The suffix “-th” corresponds to the last digit “8”, according to the pattern in English. Using “48rd” would be incorrect and should be avoided. So, next time you need to express the order or position of something relating to the number 48, remember to use “48th” and avoid any confusion.