Does this make sense?

Question

Hello Teachers,Does this make sense? Which president is Mr. Obama?Thank you!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I would say it is correct, but it would sound incomplete without further context.

Which president [of the countries in G20 summit] is Mr. Obama?

Best wishes,

Anon

Mister Micawber · Answer

That is not what mudclay is looking for, Anon, but mudclay should now realize that the question is vague. Answers could include: the current one, the president of the United States, the first Afro-American one, etc.

There is no clear way to ask about his position in the series of presidents, mudclay. English has no neat question for ordinal numbers.

Mudclay · Answer

Mister MicawberThat is not what mudclay is looking for, Anon, but mudclay should now realize that the question is vague. Answers could include: the current one, the president of the United States, the first Afro-American one, etc.There is no clear way to ask about his position in the series of presidents, mudclay. English has no neat question for ordinal numbers.

Yes sir that's what i meant. Its hard to explain. But i think sir you got my point (series of presidency) i.e He is the 99th president of America. I don't know how to ask.

So sir as a native speaker how do you ask like that?

Could i ask like this? Is Mr. Obama the 99th president of the US? or there's another way to say it?

BarbaraPA · Answer

I think we see this question in one form or another at least three times a month.

We don't have a "How manieth is he?" or "Whicheth is he?"

We have to ask in a round-about way, saying things like "George Washington was first. What number is Obama?"

Or "You said your sister is the oldest. Where do you fall in your family" to find out your the third child.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Grammar GeekWe don't have a "How manieth is he?" or "Whicheth is he?"

Great, GG!

Actually, when I saw the question, I didn't even realize the poster was interested in the order of presidents. I didn't know what to make of the question and refrained from replying even though I thought his question could perhaps be uttered in a theoretical situation.

If there are a few presidents from various countries in a room and someone knows they are presidents but doesn't recognize them, he could perhaps say: Which president is Mr. Obama?Or could he?

CB

BarbaraPA · Answer

Sure, just like "Which guy is your boyfriend" as two teenage girls look at a group of kids across the room.

Or, let's get really exciting - we are hired assassins, arriving at the nuclear research facility: Which scientist is Dr. Pembroke? (Our target)

Mudclay · Answer

Thanks!

It is hard for me to explain what i meant in my question. But i think Mr. Micawber got my point (series of presidency).

How should i ask? (in native way)

Can i ask like these?

i.e.

In what order of presidency is Mr. Obama?

Is he the 99th president of the United States of America? ( what if i don't know that he's the 99th president?)

Thanks!

Mister Micawber · Answer

Did you read GG's post, muddy?

Mudclay · Answer

Mister MicawberDid you read GG's post, muddy?

I understand now. There's no neat question of ordinal numbers or series of presidency.

"Bush is the 98th president." What number is Obama"?

Sandy Ho · Answer

What number president is Obama?

Does this make sense?

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