When it comes to ordinal numbers, things can get a little tricky. We all know that numbers can be a bit finicky with their endings, but fear not! I am here to shed some light on the matter and clear up any confusion you may have about whether to say “64th” or “64rd.” So, let’s dive right in and find out which is correct!
First things first, let’s take a closer look at how ordinal numbers are formed in English. Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a sequence. For example, when you say “the 1st place,” you are indicating that it is the first place in a series of places. Now, when it comes to forming ordinal numbers, you usually add the suffix “-th” to the cardinal number (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd).
So, if we follow this rule, it would seem natural to assume that “64th” is the correct form. And indeed, that is the case! When we are talking about the number 64 in an ordinal sense, we say “64th.” This is because we add the “-th” suffix to the cardinal number 64 to indicate that it is the 64th item in a sequence.
Here are a few examples to illustrate this point:
1. The 64th anniversary of their wedding.
2. She finished the race in 64th place.
3. They celebrated their 64th birthdays together.
Now, you may be wondering why we don’t say “64rd” instead. Well, the answer lies in the basic rules of English grammar. Ordinal numbers from 4 to 20, as well as any number ending in 4 to 9, use the “-th” suffix. On the other hand, the numbers ending in 1, 2, and 3 typically use different suffixes: “-st,” “-nd,” and “-rd,” respectively.
For instance, we say:
– 1st (first)
– 2nd (second)
– 3rd (third)
– 4th (fourth)
– 5th (fifth)
– 6th (sixth)
– …
As you can see, the pattern for the numbers ending in 4 to 9 is consistent, as they all use the “-th” suffix. This pattern also holds true for number 64: we add the “-th” suffix, making it “64th.”
In conclusion, the correct form is “64th.” This applies to all numbers, including 64, which are used to indicate a position or order in a sequence. Remember that English grammar can be a bit tricky at times, but by following these rules, you’ll never go wrong. So, the next time you need to talk about the 64th item in a list or describe the 64th anniversary, you can confidently say “64th.”