You may be confused about how to spell the ordinal number of 4, especially if this is your first time learning the ordinal numbers. When you try to spell the ordinal number of 4, you may have some options between 4rd or 4th, so which one is correct?
If you are trying to find out the correct spelling of either 4rd or 4th, you can really dive into our post, since we will show you the way to spell 4rd or 4th. Okay, you can see our post below to find out the correct spelling of 4rd or 4th. Let’s check it out!
Which One Is Correct, 4rd or 4th?
The 4th (fourth) is the correct spelling, since the full-word form of 4th is fourth. Well, The short of the word fourth is often used in written dates. The ‘-th’ is the suffix for this ordinal number and is a common suffix. However, there are also irregular ones such as -st, -nd and -rd.
The last one is commonly used only for the number 3, so 3rd (third). Additionally, the number 4 has a regular suffix, so the correct form is 4th, not 4rd.
Here some examples of sentences with the ‘4th’:
- I did pretty well in the biology contest, I was 4th out of 25.
- Nicky is my 4th dog and he is the most lively one.
- President Obama won a 4th term.
What Are Ordinal Numbers?
It is known that ordinal numbers are the kinds of words that are actually used to put things in order that can be anything from an address to the position a runner finishes in a race. They represent position or rank in a sequential order and also show position or order in relation to other numbers.
The ordinal numbers always have a suffix attached onto the end and the order can be of importance, chronology, size and others. Moreover, the ordinal numbers actually differ from cardinal numbers which represent quantity and other types of numerals.
Based on traditional grammar, all numerals including ordinal numbers may be grouped into a separate part of speech. Based on modern interpretations of English grammar, the ordinal numbers are basically conflated with adjectives.
With the suffix playing as an ordinal indicator, the ordinal numbers will be written in English with numerals and letter suffixes, including 1st, 2nd or 2d, 3rd or 3d, 4th, 11th, 21st, 101st, 477th, etc.
Based on American Sign Language, the ordinal numbers first through ninth are actually made with handshapes similar to those for corresponding cardinal numbers with the addition of a small twist of the twist.
Additionally, there are several rules to determine which suffix to add to a number, including:
- When a number ends with 1, the suffix at the end is -st (1st)
- When a number ends with 2, the suffix at the end is -nd (2nd)
- When a number ends with 3, the suffix at the end is -rd (3rd)
- When a number that ends with 0,4,5,6,7,8,9 the suffix at the end is -th (4th) including 10th, 100th, etc.
- An exception to the rules above us when a numeral ends with 11, 12, or 13 that all use the -th suffix.
Of course, those rules may make it simpler for you to determine which suffix you should turn a cardinal number into an ordinal one.
Spelling the Ordinal Numbers, How to Do?
Here are the spelling of ordinal numbers and a few rules:
- 1st = first (Kim Minno won first prize.)
- 2nd = second (Today is Michael’s second birthday.)
- 3rd = third (This is my third time that I have taken my driving test.)
- 4th = fourth (Take the fourth turning on the left.)
- 5th = fifth (John lives on the fifth floor.)
Adding to ‘th’ to teen numbers, here are they:
- sixth (6th)
- seventh (7th)
- eighth (8th)
- ninth (9th)
- tenth (10th)
- eleventh (11th)
- twelfth (12th)
- thirteenth (13th)
- twentieth (20th)
- twenty-first (21st)
- twenty-second (22nd)
- twenty-third (23rd)
- twenty-fourth (24th)
- thirtieth (30th)
- 40th = fortieth
- 50th = fiftieth
- 60th = sixtieth
- 70th = seventieth
- 80th = eightieth
- 90th = ninetieth
Hyphen for ordinal numbers and normal numbers
If you write ordinal numbers from 21 upward, make sure to not give space between the letters and hyphen, as follows:
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- thirty-three
- sixty-seven
- one hundred and twenty-nine
- one thousand two hundred and thirty-one pounds
You can also use a hyphen that can also apply to ordinal numbers from 21st, as follows:
- twenty-first = 21st (It’s her 21st on Sunday.)
- twenty-second
- twenty-third = 23rd
- thirty-second = 32nd
- thirty-third = 33rd
- forty-third = 43rd
- forty-fourth = 44th
- fifty-third = 53rd
- fifty-fifth = 55th
- sixty-fourth = 64th
- sixty-sixth = 66th
- seventy-eighth = 78th
- seventy-seventh = 77th
- eighty-second = 82nd
- eighty-eighth = 88th
- ninety-ninth = 99th
- two hundred and twenty-first = 221st
How to Use the Right Word: Forth or Fourth?
After knowing the correct spelling of 4th, you may then also get confused when the right time is to use forth or fourth. It is known that both are homophones that are pronounced the same, but they are differently spelled and of course, they have different meanings and etymologies, even though both have Old English roots.
Forth acts as an adverb that means moving forward in place, time or order. When paired with verbs such as come, bring and put, it also means simply ‘to the forefront’. Here are the examples usage of the word ‘forth’ in sentence:
- Donny loved to hold front about European history, whenever he got the chance.
- Sassy started to talk about her past in detail including young adulthood, childhood and so forth.
Fourth acts as an adjective that refers to the ordinal numbers corresponding to four and situated between third and fifth. Fourth can also act as a noun, i.e., the fourth day of any month. Here are the examples usage of the word ‘fourth’ in sentence:
- Lean’s fourth grade class was assigned to draw something.
- At the game, Susan was the cleanup hitter, batting fourth in the top of the sixth inning with runners on first and third.
