How English Speakers Globally Use Ordinal and Cardinal Numbers for Dates

In the world of English language usage, there exists a preference for how dates are expressed. Most English speakers in the United States commonly use ordinal numbers for dates, such as "July 9th," whereas in other parts of the English-speaking world, a mix of ordinal and cardinal number usage is observed. This article explores these differences and provides insights based on the experiences shared by native and non-native speakers.

Understanding Ordinal and Cardinal Numbers in Dates

Ordinal numbers are used to denote the order of something in a sequence, often with suffixes like "-th," "-st," "-nd," or "-rd" (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th). In contrast, cardinal numbers refer to quantities without any additional defined order, and are commonly used without suffixes (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4).

Usage in the United States

In the United States, the use of ordinal numbers for dates is ubiquitous. The convention follows a format such as "July 9th" or "the 9th of July." Americans typically say “July ninth” (for example, "July 9th" or "the 9th of July") when speaking. For non-natives, the common practice is to drop articles, leading to sayings like "July nine" or "nine July." This omission is particularly prevalent among those from countries whose native languages lack articles, such as many Asian languages. However, it is essential to point out that dropping articles is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Usage Outside the United States

Outside the United States, the usage of dates extends beyond ordinal numbers. In the UK, for instance, users often say "July the ninth" or "the ninth of July," with both options being equally common. A Briton might describe a date using either of these phrases with roughly equal frequency, depending on the context. The use of "the" is more common; however, in casual settings, the article might be omitted, resembling American usage.

Non-Native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers from various linguistic backgrounds often struggle with the nuances of date formats. For speakers of languages like Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean, the default style frequently excludes articles, thus leading to phrases like "July nine" or "nine July." This tendency is particularly noticeable in English as a Second Language (ESL) education, where the focus on grammatical accuracy might be less emphasized than fluency. Consequently, in many educational settings, the exclusion of articles is more widespread than in native English environments.

Conclusion

The use of ordinal versus cardinal numbers in date formats varies significantly across different regions and among native and non-native speakers. While Americans generally prefer ordinal numbers with articles (e.g., "July 9th"), other English-speaking countries may use both ordinal and cardinal numbers depending on the speaker's linguistic background. Understanding these differences can help non-native speakers communicate more effectively in English, particularly in formal or academic settings where grammatical accuracy is paramount.