When it comes to ordinal numbers, it seems like English has a few tricks up its sleeve. Just when you think you’ve got the hang of it, a number like “17th” comes along and throws you for a loop. But fear not, dear reader, for I am here to shed some light on this grammatical enigma. So, without further ado, let’s learn the age-old debate of “17th or 17rd – Which is Correct?”
The correct ordinal form for the number 17 is indeed “17th.” This might seem odd, especially when we consider that the number 3 follows a different rule for forming ordinal numbers. We typically add “rd” to the end of “3” to form “3rd,” just as we add “st” to “1” to create “1st” and “nd” to “2” to create “2nd.” However, when it comes to numbers ending in “7,” we follow a different pattern altogether.
The reason for this irregularity lies in the way English has evolved over time. Back in Old English, when ordinal numbers were first used, the suffix “-st” was employed for all numbers, no matter their ending digits. However, as time went on, speakers found it difficult to pronounce certain combinations of sounds, leading to some adjustments in the language.
One such adjustment affected numbers ending in “y” followed by “s” or “t.” Pronouncing a combination like “twenty-th” or “fifty-sevent” required a lot of effort, so people began dropping the “y” and replacing it with “ie.” This resulted in forms like “twenty-third” and “fifty-seventh,” and the trend eventually caught on for other numbers as well.
Now, let’s get back to our original question: why is it “17th” instead of “17rd”? The answer lies in the fact that “7” does not end in the sounds “s” or “t.” Therefore, there is no need to drop the “y” and replace it with “ie.” Instead, we simply add the suffix “-th” to the number “17” to form the ordinal “17th.”
To further clarify this rule, let’s look at some examples:
1. The 1st of January is a public holiday.
2. He finished 2nd in the race.
3. She always turns up 3rd to the party.
4. The 4th of July is a significant day in America.
5. I am celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary next week.
6. The 6th floor of the building is under renovation.
7. It was the 7th time she had won the award.
8. He came 8th in the singing competition.
9. The 9th chapter of the book is particularly intriguing.
10. She was born on the 10th of December.
As you can see, the pattern remains consistent for all numbers ending in digits other than “3.” By adding “-th” to the end, we form the correct ordinal form.
In conclusion, the correct ordinal form for the number 17 is “17th.” While it may seem strange compared to other numbers, English has its own unique rules and exceptions. So, the next time you come across this confusing grammatical quirk, remember the rule, and confidently use “17th” to describe the seventeenth item in a series.