12th or 12nd: Which is Correct?
When expressing ordinal numbers in writing, many people get confused between "12th" and "12nd". Both forms are commonly used, but only one is grammatically correct.
What is the correct form?
The correct form is 12th. This is because the ordinal number "twelfth" is derived from the cardinal number "twelve", and the suffix "-th" is used to form the ordinal.
Why is "12nd" incorrect?
The mistake arises from the misapplication of the rule for forming ordinals. In general, when forming ordinals from cardinal numbers, we add the suffix "-nd", "-rd", or "-th" depending on the number. For example:
- 2nd (second)
- 3rd (third)
- 4th (fourth)
- 10th (tenth)
However, the rule has exceptions, and "twelve" is one of them. The correct ordinal form of "twelve" is "twelfth", which becomes 12th in numeral form.
Examples and usage
Here are some examples of correct usage:
- The company will celebrate its 12th anniversary next year.
- She finished 12th in the marathon.
- The 12th of December is a national holiday.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when expressing the ordinal number "twelve" in writing, the correct form is 12th, not "12nd". Remember that "twelfth" is the correct ordinal form of "twelve", and the suffix "-th" is used to form the ordinal.
