Numeral Adjectives
Unlike Quantitative Adjectives which only provide a rough idea of an amount like some or few, Numeral Adjectives give information about the exact number or the exact order of a noun.
These adjectives answer the question How many? with a specific number, or In what order?.
Generally, Numeral Adjectives are divided into two main groups: Definite and Indefinite. However, for foundational levels, we will focus on the most frequently used Definite group, which is divided into three main types.
3 Main Types of Definite Numeral Adjectives
1. Cardinals (Counting Numbers)
Indicate the exact number of an object. These are the basic numbers we use to count.
| Adjective | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| one | 1 | One apple |
| two | 2 | Two dogs |
| five | 5 | Five students |
| hundred | 100 | One hundred dollars |
Sentence examples:
- She has three brothers.
- There are fifty passengers on the bus.
2. Ordinals (Order Numbers)
Indicate the position or order of an object in a series or row.
| Adjective | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| first | 1st | The first prize |
| second | 2nd | The second floor |
| third | 3rd | The third person |
| last | final position | The last chance |
Sentence examples:
- He won the first place in the competition.
- This is my second warning.
3. Multiplicatives (Multiplication Numbers)
Indicate how many times the object is multiplied.
| Adjective | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| single | one only | A single bed |
| double | twice as much | A double cheeseburger |
| triple | three times as much | A triple threat |
Sentence examples:
- I need a double shot of espresso.
- He is a single parent.
Combining Cardinals and Ordinals
What if you need to use both Cardinals (regular numbers) and Ordinals (order) at the same time to describe one noun?
The rule is very simple: Ordinals are always placed before Cardinals.
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Correct: The first two chapters of the book.
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Incorrect: The two first chapters of the book.
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Correct: The last three days were amazing.
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Incorrect: The three last days were amazing.
Conclusion: Use Numeral Adjectives whenever you need to provide a specific number or exact order specification to your noun.