When it comes to ordinal numbers, there is often confusion about how to correctly write them, especially when it comes to numbers ending in “3”. Should it be written as “73rd” or “73st”? The answer is quite simple: “73rd” is the correct form.
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate a position or order in a series, and they are formed by adding a suffix to the cardinal number. The most common suffixes used for ordinal numbers are “-st,” “-nd,” “-rd,” and “-th.” The general rule is to use “-st” for numbers ending in “1” (except for 11 and 111), “-nd” for numbers ending in “2” (except for 12 and 112), “-rd” for numbers ending in “3” (except for 13 and 113), and “-th” for all other numbers.
Let’s take a closer look at some examples to further understand this rule:
1. First – This is the ordinal form of the cardinal number “1.” It follows the general rule of using “-st” for numbers ending in “1.”
2. Second – This is the ordinal form of the cardinal number “2.” It follows the general rule of using “-nd” for numbers ending in “2.”
3. Third – This is the ordinal form of the cardinal number “3.” It follows the general rule of using “-rd” for numbers ending in “3.”
4. Fourth – This is the ordinal form of the cardinal number “4.” It deviates from the general rule because it uses “-th” instead of “-rd.”
As we can see from these examples, the ordinal form of the number “3” is “third,” not “threerd.” Therefore, when we want to express the number “73” in its ordinal form, we should use “73rd.” It is important to adhere to this rule to avoid any potential confusion or misunderstandings in written communication.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the same rule applies to all other numbers ending in “3,” such as 13rd, 23rd, or 103rd. None of these numbers would be written as “13st,” “23st,” or “103st.” Consistency in using the correct suffix is essential to maintain clarity and accuracy in language.
In conclusion, the correct form to express the ordinal number for “73” is “73rd.” This adheres to the standard rule for ordinal numbers, where “-rd” is used for numbers ending in “3.” By applying this rule consistently, we can ensure precision and clarity in our writing.