Ordinal Numbers: Using First, Second, Third, Etc

Level: Elementary

Ordinal numbers are easy to learn but also, easy to forget.

When objects are placed in order, we use ordinal numbers to tell their position.  If ten people ran a race, we would say that the person that ran the fastest was in first place, the next student was in second place, and so on.

Remember, ordinals are numbers we use when we want to put things in order. We normally ad 'th' to the numbers, but also sometimes 'nd' or 'st'. In the following sentences, do we need an ordinal number?

Link: Which Question is Best?

Lesson by Caroline Devane, teacher at EC Cape Town English language school

• 1. I have two brothers. The ___ brother is called Terence.
  
  second
  two
  
  
• 2. I live at ___ Maynard Drive.
  
  twenty-second
  twenty-two
  
  
• 3. I didn't do very well in the competition. I only came ___.
  
  ninth
  nine
  
  
• 4. Marguerite was the ___to arrive.
  
  one
  first
  
  
• 5. I'd like ___ potatoes please.
  
  third
  three
  
  
• 6. I was born on the ___ of December.
  
  thirty-one
  thirty-first
  
  
• 7. I would like to have dinner, but lets go to the cinema ___.
  
  first
  one
  
  
• 8. There are ___ students in this classroom who speak Spanish.
  
  five
  fifth
  
  
• 9. The President is married to the ___lady.
  
  one
  first
  
  
• 10. My TV has ___ channels.
  
  thirty-fifth
  thirty-five