The Correct Way to Write: 13th or 13rd?
When it comes to writing dates or ordinal numbers in English, many people get confused about whether to use "th" or "rd" after the number 13. Is it correct to write "13th" or "13rd"? In this article, we will explore the correct way to write this number and provide examples to clarify any doubts.
The Rule
In English, when writing ordinal numbers (numbers that show the position or rank of something), we use the following rule:
- For numbers ending in 1, except for 11, we add "st" (first, 21st, 31st)
- For numbers ending in 2, except for 12, we add "nd" (second, 22nd, 32nd)
- For numbers ending in 3, except for 13, we add "rd" (third, 23rd, 33rd)
- For all other numbers, we add "th" (fourth, 14th, 24th)
The Exception
You might have noticed that we mentioned "except for 13" in the rule above. This is because 13 is an exception to the rule. Instead of adding "rd" to 13, we add "th". This means that the correct way to write this number is 13th.
Examples
To illustrate the correct usage, here are some examples:
- 13th birthday (not 13rd)
- 13th floor (not 13rd)
- 13th of January (not 13rd)
Conclusion
In conclusion, when writing the number 13 as an ordinal number, the correct way to write it is 13th, not 13rd. Remember the rule and the exception, and you'll be writing ordinal numbers like a pro!
