When it comes to ordinal numbers, it’s natural to get a little confused. Is it “36th” or “36rd”? Which one is correct? Well, let me break it down for you and clear up any confusion.
In English, ordinal numbers are used to express rank or order. They typically end in “th,” “st,” “nd,” or “rd.” But here’s the catch – “th” is used for all numbers ending in “0,” “1,” “2,” “3,” and beyond. On the other hand, “st” is used only for numbers ending in “1” (except 11), “nd” for numbers ending in “2” (except 12), and “rd” for numbers ending in “3” (except 13).
So, let’s apply this rule to our question. We have the number 36. Now, the last digit of 36 is 6, which means we should use the “th” ending. Therefore, the correct ordinal form of 36 is “36th.”
To illustrate this further, let’s take a look at a few examples:
1. John finished in 1st place in the race.
2. My sister was born on the 2nd of December.
3. The 5th book in the series just came out.
4. We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next year.
5. The 50th anniversary of the moon landing is approaching.
Now, you might be wondering why we have these exceptions for the ordinal endings “st,” “nd,” and “rd.” Well, it’s believed to be a result of historical evolution to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Imagine if we used “st” for all numbers ending in 1, “nd” for all those ending in 2, and “rd” for all those ending in 3. It would be somewhat confusing when we get to numbers like 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. By introducing these exceptions, we maintain clarity and make it easier for people to understand the order or rank being expressed.
To put it simply, using “36rd” would be incorrect because ordinal numbers ending in 6 should use the “th” ending, not the “rd” ending. “36th” is the correct and proper form to use when expressing the rank or order of the number 36.
In conclusion, when it comes to ordinal numbers like 36, it is important to remember the rules: “th” is used for most numbers, regardless of their endings, while “st,” “nd,” and “rd” are reserved for specific endings. So, the correct form in this case is “36th.” Remember this rule, and you’ll be able to confidently express rank or order in a grammatically accurate way.