Is It ‘31th’ or ‘31st’?

Are you wondering whether '31th' or '31st' is correct? I can help!

Here is the short answer: 

• '31th' is a grammatical error. 
• '31st' is the correct numeric abbreviation of the ordinal thirty-first.
• Thirty-first is an adjective and noun for the number 31 in a series of items or day number 31. 

There is much more to learn about writing numbers. So, keep reading to learn how to write, define, and pronounce this term.

Is '31th' or '31st' Correct?

Between '31th' or '31st,' '31th' is a grammatical error. The second term is the only correct format of the numeric abbreviation of the ordinal thirty-first. Ordinals are numeric series of numbers or things that are ranked.

Thirty-first is an adjective or noun for 31 in a series of numbered items, people, or days.

Other ordinals include:

• First
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Fifth
• Sixth
• Seventh
• Eighth
• Ninth
• Tenth
• Eleventh
• Twelfth
• Thirteenth
• Fourteenth
• Fifteenth
• Sixteenth
• Seventeenth
• Eighteenth
• Nineteenth
• Twentieth
• Twenty-First

After the twenty-first, each first tenth is that number -first, for example:

• Thirty-first
• Forty-first
• Fifty-first
• Sixty-first
• Seventy-first
• Eighty-first
• Ninty-first

The abbreviation of these numbers is always the number followed by the last two letters in the term, for example:

• First - 1st
• Second - 2nd
• Third- 3rd
• Fourth - 4th
• Fifth - 5th
• Sixth - 6th
• Seventh - 7th
• Eight - 8th
• Ninth - 9th
• Tenth - 10th

When and How to Use '31st'

You learned that between '31th' or '31st' only the second is grammatically correct. But do you know when to use it?

Here are a few tips.

• Use ordinals when you are referring to the position of something that is ranked.

For example, you might say:

• Use ordinals, like '31st,' when you are talking about the number of times something has been done.

As an example, I might ask someone:

Are you writing your first or second draft?

• Use '31st' when referring to 31 in a group of numbered items.

As an example, you can say:

The book club is reading the 31st book on the list. 

• Use '31st' as an adjective when speaking about the thirty-first person in a group.

So, you might say:

He tried to win a radio contest for years, so he couldn't believe it when he was the thirty-first caller. 

•  Use '31st' to refer to 31 in a ranked list or group.

For example, you could say:

She scored 31st place in her first event.

• Use '31st' when you are talking about the thirty-first day of the month or year. 

As an example, I might say:

My aunt was born on October 31st. 

Definition of '31st': What Does 31st Mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the adjective thirty-first, which is abbreviated by '31st' means:

• 31 in a numbered series
• Equal parts that are divisible by 31; a '31st' share

It can also be a noun that means:

• 31 in a counted series or numbered group
• One of 31 equal parts or 1/31

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce '31st'

Now that you know the correct numeric abbreviation of thirty-first, let's look at how to pronounce it.

Here is a pronunciation guide you can follow.

• Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce '31st':

ther-tē ferst

Here are some of the pronunciations for other frequently used ordinals.

• First - ferst
• Second - se-kend
• Third - therd
• Fourth - forth
• Fifth - fith or fif(t)th
• Sixth - siksth
• Seventh - se-ven(t)th
• Eigth - ātth
• Ninth - nin(t)th
• Tenth - ten(t)th
• Eleventh - i-lev-en(t)th
• Twelfth - twelf(t)th
• Thirteenth - ther(t)-tēn(t)th
• Fourteenth - for-tēn(t)th
• Fifteenth - fif-tēn(t)th
• Sixteenth - siks-tēn(t)th
• Seventeenth - se-ven-tēn(t)th
• Eighteenth - āt-tēn(t)th
• Nineteenth - nīn-tēn(t)th
• Twentieth - twen-tē-eth
• Twenty - twen-tē
• Thirty - ther-tē
• Forty - for-tē
• Fifty - fif-tē
• Sixty - siks-tē
• Seventy - se-ven-tē
• Eighty - āt-tē
• Ninety - nīn-tē
• Hundredth - hun-dredth

Sample Sentences Using '31st'

Here are some sample sentences using '31st.' Read them to see the ordinal used in different contexts.

31st

• Your room is the 31st door on the right after you exit the elevators.
• As a case study writer, it is essential to know how to correctly abbreviate ordinals like 31st.
• After the 31st time that I called her, I gave up on speaking to her.
• When I graduated from high school, I was the 31st person to walk across the stage.
• I can't believe I finished the race in 31st place, but at least I wasn't last.
• The blogger was unsure whether to use 31th or 31st, so she went to Freelance Writing Jobs to verify.
• After she wrote her 31st product description, she decided to take a break.
• January, March, May, July, August, October, and December all have a 31st day, April, June, September, and November have 30 days, and February has 28 or 29 days.
• If you want to enter the contest, you have to submit your entry before May 31st. Entries received after the 31st will not be considered.
• If you move in on the 31st, you will have to pay one day of prorated rent. So, you might as well wait until the 1st.
• She is on her 31st writer's notebook, but she has not finished her book outline.
• After his 31st application, he finally got a high-paying freelance writing job.
• She just finished her 31st self-published low-content book.
• The teacher asked the student to read the 31st writing quote to the writing club.

Final Advice About Whether '31th' or '31st' is Correct?

You learned a lot in this post. So, let's review what you learned about whether '31th' or '31st' is correct:

• '31th' is a grammatical error, so you should never use it. 
• '31st' is the correct way to abbreviate the noun and adjective thirty-first. 
• '31st' means 31 in a series or numbered group. 

Whether you are an experienced writer or a beginner, it is essential to use correct grammar and spelling. That is why we create posts like this every week.

If you need help with ordinals in the future, you can return to this post for a quick review. If you are serious about starting a writing career, take a look at some of the other grammar guides here before you leave.

You can also check out our guides on the latest industry trends and best practices, ways to land high-paying jobs, and tips for improving your writing.

So, come back often to stay up-to-date and learn how and the writing gigs you want.

Related posts:

'Laying in Bed' or 'Lying in Bed': What's the Difference? Parents' or Parent's or Parents: What's the Difference? 'Other Then' or 'Other Than': Which is Correct? ‘Dying’ or ‘Dieing’: Which is Correct? Is It ‘Me Either’ or ‘Me Neither’? ‘Amature’ or ‘Amateur’: How to Spell It Correctly ‘Trainor’ or ‘Trainer’: How to Spell It Correctly Is It ‘Ninty’ or ‘Ninety’? ‘Pre’ vs ‘Post’: What’s the Difference? ‘Wellcome’ or ‘Welcome’: How to Spell it Correctly?