Numerical Adjectives

Numerical adjectives indicate quantity by stating a fixed number of people or things.

There are two groups of numerical adjectives.

Cardinal Numbers 

Here are some examples using cardinal numbers:

In the first example, one is the numerical adjective (cardinal number) that indicates one in number. It is added to a singular noun.

In the second example, the numerical adjective two (cardinal number) indicates that there are two in number and must be combined with a plural noun.

Cardinal number = c for counting: 1, 2, 3 or one, two, three

Ordinal Numbers 

Ordinal number = o for ordered sequence: 1st, 2nd, 3rd or first, second, third

Here are two examples with ordinal numbers:

First is the ordinal number derived from one (cardinal number). Ordinal numbers indicate a sequence.

Third is the ordinal number derived from three (cardinal number).

This concludes the section of descriptive and limiting adjectives.

Using Descriptive and Limiting Adjectives Together

Nouns usually do not stand alone. Adjectives add color to language. 

When using a descriptive and a limiting adjective together in a sentence, observe a certain order: limiting adjectives go before descriptive adjectives.

It is good practice to identify the different types of adjectives before using them in a sentence.