Numbers in Order

So let’s get started with order ordering things.

When do we use the endings for numbers like you probably know first.

Why do we sometimes say 1.

Why do we sometimes say 1 s t or F I R S T.

OK well if we have one thing then we don’t need to use this.

OK.

We don’t need to use that.

We just have one thing.

So we say I have one apple OK.

There are two people we’re just counting.

OK but if things go in order.

If there is a sequence and we’re focused on the sequence that means this one and then this one and then this one and then this one and then this one there’s a sequence then often we will use this.

The endings for numbers we use it very simply for days in the month all the way up to thirty first which is the longest a month can be the thirty first.

So things in sequence not everything but often things in sequence.

Could you say my thirty first birthday.

Yes.

Yes you can.

Thirty first birthday because birthdays are in sequence.

You can also say that you’re thirty three years old.

You can certainly say that thirty three years old but you can say it’s your thirty first birthday because that’s in sequence.

What else goes in order like that.

When else might we use this sort of language in sequence.

Well if we have something and then we get rid of it or we get another thing of the same type then we can start to use this because we have one and then we have another of the same kind of thing.

It’s a kind of sequence so let’s say I buy a bike by the company maybe you know the company track it’s a bike company let’s say I buy a track I have one track bike OK and I like it.

So I decide well this one was cheap so I’ll buy another one.

Now I have two track bikes.

Well this one this one tried to draw a bike.

Oh my God this is a terrible this bicycle.

This one is my first track bike and this one.

Let’s just say there’s another one here.

This one is my two second.

Now I know that you probably know this but I just want to be very clear when we use it and when we don’t usually if it is a sequence of things maybe it’s my third bike and my second track bike that’s possible.

Third bike second track bike totally fine.

Totally fine.

Let’s just read through these very quickly just so that you know the pronunciation and then I want to talk about the floors of a building.

OK.

This one twenty first.

This one 30 second 30 second.

This one third this one.

Seventy fourth.

This one sixty fifth.

This one’s tough to save.

Fifth fifth sixty fifth.

Another one that’s tough to say is the next one.

One hundred and six.

Six.

Six.

You have to actually say six.

And then with a t h sound.

Sixty six sixty six.

One hundred and six.

Forty seventh forty seventh seven seven.

Adding t h eighty eighth.

So this one we have a kind of ay ay ay.

We don’t say eight.

Like that we just say eight and we stop the voice.

Eight.

OK.

Nine nine nine.

So when it has t h we do have to make that sound.

And what about this one if it’s on an even ten 10th 20th 30th 40 50 if this is 50 50.

If fiftieth OK.

Now it gets a little different if it’s teens but those are all the same except for twelve.

So this one is twelve twelve twelve.

It’s difficult twelfth than the other ones are all the same.

13th 14th 15th 16th all of them are T H and you just say the number thirteen and then.

Except you have to be careful about this and this you gotta watch out for that pronunciation.

This is death.

This is death.

If it’s a ten then we use it.

If it’s a team then we use thirtieth 40 if fiftieth 13th 14th 15th 15th and the 15th are very different but it’s the tone that we also have to pay attention to.

So in a building when you’re describing the floor in the building because they’re in sequence going up they are in sequence going up then we’re going to use these endings as the floor names.

So you have a tall building here.

OK and maybe this is the 30 second 30 second floor the 30 second floor the 50 second floor the 50 second floor.

So once you know the endings and you know how to say them it should be easy but just pay attention to the fact that these numbers become the names of those things.

And if we say how old are you.

I’m thirty three.

That’s not the name of your age right.

That’s not the name of your birthday.

But if we say it’s my thirty third birthday or my fortieth birthday that’s kind of the name of your birthday isn’t it.

The name of your birthday.

So it helps us to name things and specify exactly which thing we’re talking about.

Which floor you’re going to I’m going to the eighty second floor.

Wow that’s pretty high up eighty second floor.

Cool.

You live very high up.

OK.

Or the 13th floor and if if you go into many buildings in Western countries you will not see a 13th floor on the buttons in the elevator.

Why not.

Because 13 in a lot of Western countries is an unlucky number.

It’s a bad number.

So you won’t see a 13th floor for that reason.

In many places many places not all but many.

All right.

That’s pretty simple.

I realize hopefully it’s clear.