Devoted to technical writing and technical writers

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CARDINAL numbers are what we see or pronounce normally: One (1), Two (2), Three (3), and so forth. ORDINAL numbers are expressed accordingly: First, Second, Third, etc.

When using Ordinal numbers, it is acceptable to shorten them when said numbers become too long, as in 131st vs the long form One Hundred and Thirty First. When an Ordinal number is short, it may be preferable to spell it out, as in Ninth vs 9th. On the other hand, in this day of texting and short form communications, one cannot expect many people to indulge in extremely appropriate writing rules, and so, we see the use of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd much more often.

"Michael Jordan should have retired after his sixth (6th) ring with the Bulls, rather than lose his luster by playing for the Wizards while on a downhill slope."