Ordinals — First Through Tenth and Beyond
Numbers
Rulebase Summary
Ordinals from first through tenth are spelled out. When a series contains some ordinals below tenth and some above, use figures with ordinal suffixes for all of them to maintain a consistent appearance (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 15th).
Examples
A. It was my 3rd time testifying.
A. It was my third time testifying.
Ordinals from first through tenth are spelled out.
A. She finished first in the qualifier and 12th in the final.
A. She finished 1st in the qualifier and 12th in the final.
When a series mixes ordinals below and above tenth, use figures with ordinal suffixes throughout.
Transcript Notes
Ordinals are spelled out up to 'tenth' (first, second, third...tenth). Above tenth, use figures with the ordinal suffix (15th, 95th, the 15th floor). If a series has some expressions below tenth and some above tenth, use figures and ordinals throughout for consistency (1st, 10th, and 25th anniversaries; the 3rd, 12th, and 14th Amendments). Exception: 'He pleaded the Fifth' — common idiomatic spelling.
Style Guide References (4)
Morson's
Morson's
BGGP
BGGP