Learn English – What decides how to read a Roman number in titles

numberspronunciation

Is there a fixed rule that decides whether to read a Roman numeral as a cardinal number or an ordinal number?

For Example, WWII, we say World War Two, but Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Minsk II agreement is also read as Minsk Two agreement.

(Yes, we can say the Second World War and the Second Minsk Agreement as well.)

Again, my question is whether there is a fixed rule that dictates the way Roman numbers are read in title or name (like citation guidelines we used in college), and if so, what would that be.

Best Answer

I don't think there's a real, well-defined pattern.

However, from observation it seems:

  • A number, roman or not, after its subject is usually a cardinal number (e.g. "Chapter five", "World War Two").
  • A number, roman or not, before its subject is usually an ordinal number (e.g. "Second World War", "25th Olympic Games").
  • Regnal numbers, roman or not, are always ordinal numbers (e.g. "George the Fifth", "John Paul the Second", "Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name" :-) ).
  • Dates follow their own pattern because "June 2" is actually not "the second month June" but just "the second day of the month June" and as such the number is not related to the number of Junes at all.

This is not a grammatical rule, but it should be good enough as a guide on how to pronounce these titles.

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