An ordinal number is a number that tells the position of an item or a person in a list. The words ‘first’, ‘second’ and ‘third’ are ordinal numbers. Meanwhile, the word ‘twelve’ is a cardinal number.
The following are ordinal numbers
1st : first
2nd : second
3rd : third
4th : fourth
5th : fifth
6th : sixth
7th : seventh
8th : eighth
9th : ninth
Read the following sentences and pay attention the words in bold.
– The students have to answer ten questions. (a cardinal number)
– The tenth question is the most difficult one. (an ordinal number)