Ordinal numbers tell us the position of something.
The idea
The first three are first, second and third. Many others add -th: fourth; spelling can change, as in fifth. Dates may be written 5 May or May 5 and spoken with an ordinal.
Examples
- Our room is on the first floor.
- The second bus leaves at nine.
- Her birthday is on the third of May.
- The fourth door is blue.
- The meeting is on June fifth.
- The tenth page has a map.
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Watch out
Do not use the cardinal five for a position: use fifth.
Try it yourself
Write the ordinal word. 1 → ___
Show answer or example answer
first
first names position one.
Write the ordinal word. 2 → ___
Show answer or example answer
second
second names position two.
Write the ordinal word. 5 → ___
Show answer or example answer
fifth
fifth changes the spelling of five before the ending.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Write the ordinal word. 1 → ___
Write the ordinal word. 2 → ___
Write the ordinal word. 5 → ___
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write your birthday and the position of a room.