Ordinal and quantitative numerals - usage of case endings

[oryx_and_crake]

Many people (even the native speakers) have problems with these, so the following might be helpful.

For ordinal numerals written with numbers you should use case endings.
Example: 1-я, 2-й, 5-й, 10-го
You should not use the entire ending (i.e. 3-его or 5-ому is wrong).
The rule goes as follows:
If the one-before-last letter of the ending is a vowel, use one, the last letter of the ending: 1-й день, в 10-й части;
If the one-before-last letter of the ending is a consonant, use two last letters of the ending: 1-го вида, 10-му посетителю.
Do not use anything in dates: 25 апреля 1980 года.

For quantitative numerals written with numbers CASE ENDINGS ARE NOT USED.

DO NOT EVER write anything like "25-ти" or "4-тыре", or even "5ять".

Comments

[superslayer18.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this! My classes have always taught us that й is actually a consonant though, but I think your rule is still understandable.

[oryx_and_crake]

It is the one-before-last letter that has to be a vowel, not the last one. In "первый" the one-before-last letter is ы which is a vowel.

[superslayer18.livejournal.com]

Oh okay now I understand! The "one-before-last letter" confused me a little (Just a note, but I think the more natural way to say that is "the letter-before-last", but I still should have understood). Thanks again!

[oryx_and_crake]

You are welcome. (I shall keep in mind this thing about "letter before last")

[eavanmoore.livejournal.com]

My inclination would be to say "the next-to-last letter."

[dp-maxime.livejournal.com]

I think this rule is slightly incorrect. Look at this:
http://spravka.gramota.ru/blang.html?id=243

Anyway, dig into this portal, it's very useful.

[oryx_and_crake]

Excuse me, I don't see in what way your link contradicts my posting. Could you please point out?

[dp-maxime.livejournal.com]

There are no contradictions. May be I should use the word "fullness", sorry.

[oryx_and_crake]

Yes, I agree that yours is more detailed.

[ado444ka.livejournal.com]

I'm sure, "25-ти" is quite possible

[oryx_and_crake]

I am sure it is not. Well, if you want your writing to look sloppy then it is perfectly OK.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

No it's not, it's outright incorrect.

[ado444ka.livejournal.com]

Ok! But, do you think "25-и" is allright?

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

I cannot think of a context when it's OK to use it. Your example please?

Re: :)

[oryx_and_crake]

I don't think so.

[oryx_and_crake]

1. I have to remind that the working language of this community is English.
2. Unfortunately the frequency of usage is not a proof for correctness of spelling. Look how many people use "вообщем", and this isn't even a word in Russian.

[oryx_and_crake]

Exactly. It is not a word in Russian. But people use it all the time (try Yandex). That's why I say that the fact that people use some word or spelling is not a proof of this word or spelling being correct.

Re: oh, my god!

[oryx_and_crake]

So? Are you aware Dahl lived about 200 years ago?

Re: oh, my god!

[oryx_and_crake]

OK, who's next? Lomonosov?

Re: oh, my god!

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

You better stop this useless flame. 25-ти is wrong, period. And I mean period.

[oryx_and_crake]

If you are only in your first semester then you probably shouldn't bother with this right now.

[kehlen-crow.livejournal.com]

You're very right about this. I am a native speaker and I have these problems. Thank you for this reminder 'cause now I won't have to look this up :)

[anton2ov.livejournal.com]

25 апреля 1980 года
BUT 25 апреля 1980-го (without "года")