Dates and ordinal numbers
Say and write dates using ordinal numbers: first, second, third…
In this lesson you will
- Use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd…)
- Say and write dates in British and American styles
- Ask “When is your birthday?” and “What’s the date today?”
Learn
For dates we use ordinal numbers: first (1st), second (2nd), third (3rd), fourth (4th), fifth (5th)…. Most add -th. Special spellings: first, second, third, fifth, eighth, ninth, twelfth, twentieth, twenty-first.
Saying dates: British English often says the fourth of July or 4 July; American English often says July fourth. Both are understood everywhere.
Writing dates: British: 4/7/2026 = 4 July. American: 7/4/2026 = July 4. To avoid confusion, write the month as a word: 4 July 2026.
Years: 2026 = “twenty twenty-six”; 1999 = “nineteen ninety-nine”; 2008 = “two thousand and eight” (UK) or “two thousand eight” (US).
Use on with dates: on 5 May, on the fifth of May. Questions: What’s the date today? — It’s the 12th of March. When is your birthday? — It’s on 23 October.
| Number | Ordinal | Number | Ordinal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | first (1st) | 8 | eighth (8th) |
| 2 | second (2nd) | 9 | ninth (9th) |
| 3 | third (3rd) | 12 | twelfth (12th) |
| 4 | fourth (4th) | 20 | twentieth (20th) |
| 5 | fifth (5th) | 21 | twenty-first (21st) |
Examples
- Today is the first of June.UK
- My birthday is on March third.US
- The meeting is on 12 September.
- She was born in 1998.nineteen ninety-eight
- What’s the date today? — It’s the 21st.
Vocabulary
date
the day, month and year
“What’s the date today?”
first
number 1 in order
“January is the first month.”
born
when you started your life
“I was born in 2001.”
year
twelve months
“It’s a new year.”
today
this day
tomorrow
the day after today
Practice
What is the ordinal of 3?
Listening: Booking a dentist
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Receptionist: The next appointment is on Tuesday the ninth.
Patient: The ninth of June?
Receptionist: Yes, at ten o’clock.
Patient: Sorry, I can’t. Is there anything on the twelfth?
Receptionist: Yes — Friday the twelfth at two.
Patient: Perfect.
1.Which date does the patient choose?
2.What day is the appointment?
3.What time is the appointment? (e.g. 2)
Speaking
Say today’s date, your birthday and two important dates in your country.
Model answer
Today is the twenty-sixth of September. My birthday is on the second of May. In my country, New Year is on the first of January.
Writing
Write the birthdays of four people you know, using words (e.g. “My mother’s birthday is on the 3rd of March.”).
Lesson quiz
Ordinal of 9:
Review
Key points
- Dates use ordinals: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th… (fifth, eighth, ninth, twelfth).
- UK: the 4th of July / 4 July; US: July 4th.
- Write the month as a word to avoid confusion.
- on + date; in + year.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use ordinal numbers.
- ✓ I can say and write dates.
- ✓ I can ask and answer about birthdays.