Is it 92nd or 92th? This is a common question that many English language learners and even native speakers often stumble upon. The answer is actually quite straightforward. The correct form is 92nd. Let me explain why.
In English, ordinal numbers are used to indicate position or order. They are formed by adding the suffix “-th” to the cardinal number (e.g., one – first, two – second, three – third). However, there are exceptions to this rule, and the number 92 is one of them.
Numbers ending in “y” like twenty or ninety drop the “y” and change it to “ieth” before adding the suffix “-th.” For example, twenty becomes twentieth, and ninety becomes ninetieth.
But what about 92? It doesn’t end in “y,” so we don’t change it to “ninetyieth.” Instead, we simply add “-nd” to form the ordinal number, 92nd.
Let’s see some examples to clarify this further:
1. First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh…
2. Tenth, eleventh, twelfth…
3. Twentieth, twenty-first, twenty-second…
4. Thirtieth, thirty-first, thirty-second…
5. Forty-first, forty-second, forty-third…
6. Fifty-fifth, fifty-sixth, fifty-seventh…
7. Sixty-eighth, sixty-ninth…
8. Seventy-third, seventy-fourth…
9. Eightieth, eighty-first…
10. Ninetieth, ninety-first, ninety-second…
As you can see from these examples, 92nd follows the pattern of adding “-nd” just like other numbers in the tens place. It’s important to remember that 92nd is not formed by changing “ninety” to “ninetyieth.”
To further illustrate the correct usage, let’s consider some practical scenarios where we might encounter the number 92.
1. “I finished in 92nd place in the race.” Here, the ordinal number 92nd indicates the position in which the speaker finished the race.
2. “The 92nd Academy Awards will be held next year.” In this sentence, 92nd signifies the order of the Academy Awards, indicating that it is the 92nd edition of the event.
3. “Please turn to page 92nd in your textbooks.” Here, 92nd denotes the specific page number the reader should refer to in their textbooks.
Remember, clarity and accuracy are crucial in written and spoken English. Using the correct ordinal form, 92nd, ensures effective communication and avoids any confusion or ambiguity.
In conclusion, the correct form is 92nd. Numbers ending in “y” change “y” to “ieth” before adding “-th,” but 92 does not follow this pattern. Instead, we simply add “-nd” to form the ordinal number. So when you need to express the order or position of 92, always use 92nd to convey your message accurately.