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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Adverbs, such as firstly, secondly, etc.

I often have to create documents that include a long list of reasons why a position in which I am in favor is the correct one. Reasons one through ten seem properly started with "Firstly," "Secondly," "Thirdly," etc. However, when I get to the teens, using the adverbial form of a number does not sound at all correct. When have you ever heard someone say, for example, "Seventeenthly, it is your fault because..."? Does anyone have a learned opinion about the correct way to attack this problem?

Thanks, Slowlearner
  

Top answer

Hi Slowlearner, The adverbial forms are spurious, and are falsely formal-- good style is satisfied with 'first, second, third'. , .... ) to mark off the points.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hi Slowlearner, The adverbial forms are spurious, and are falsely formal-- good style is satisfied with 'first, second, third'.
  • , ....
  • ) to mark off the points.
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2 Answers
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Hi Slowlearner,


The adverbial forms are spurious, and are falsely formal-- good style is satisfied with 'first, second, third'. If you find yourself having to deal with 'seventeenth', you would be much better served to simply use figures (1., 2., .... 17.) to mark off the points.
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0Dear Slowlearner,02br
02br
00If your list is as long as 17, then it would be much better to simply number the list:02br
02br
001. Apples are delicious;02br
02br
002. I also like oranges;02br
02br
003. Bananas tend to get over-ripe before I get round to eating them.02br
02br
00etc.02br
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