Sixteenth vs. Sixteen — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Sixteenth" refers to the ordinal form of sixteen, indicating position, while "sixteen" is the cardinal number representing the quantity.
Difference Between Sixteenth and Sixteen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Sixteenth" is used when referring to the position in a sequence, like in a race or a list, while "sixteen" is used to count or quantify objects or people.
In English, "sixteenth" often appears in contexts like dates and rankings, whereas "sixteen" appears in discussions of age, quantities, or mathematical operations.
The term "sixteenth" can also denote a fractional part, specifically one part of sixteen, while "sixteen" is purely a whole number.
When discussing music, "sixteenth" can refer to a sixteenth note, a very quick note in musical compositions, whereas "sixteen" could be used to discuss a group of sixteen musical bars.
In historical contexts, "sixteenth" might describe the 16th century or the 16th president, while "sixteen" might refer to the number of principalities in a historical empire or a specific quantity of items in a historical context.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Ordinal number
Cardinal number
Usage in sequences
Denotes position
Counts quantity
Common contexts
Dates, rankings
Age, sums, groups
Example in fractions
One part out of sixteen
Not applicable
Musical reference
Refers to a sixteenth note
Refers to count of musical bars
Compare with Definitions
Sixteenth
Used to describe sequence in a set or series.
His novel was the sixteenth in the series.
Sixteen
A cardinal number following fifteen.
There are sixteen candles on the cake.
Sixteenth
In music, a note played for 1/16 of the duration of a whole note.
The piece features a rapid sequence of sixteenth notes.
Sixteen
Often used in mathematics for calculation.
The square of four is sixteen.
Sixteenth
Represents 1/16th, a fraction.
She cut the cake into sixteenth slices.
Sixteen
Used to denote age.
She just turned sixteen years old.
Sixteenth
Used in dates to denote the day.
Her birthday is on the sixteenth.
Sixteen
Represents a group of sixteen items.
He bought sixteen apples at the market.
Sixteenth
Ordinal form of sixteen, indicating position.
He finished sixteenth in the marathon.
Sixteen
Used in sports to indicate team size or score.
The team played with sixteen players.
Sixteenth
The ordinal number matching the number 16 in a series.
Sixteen
The cardinal number equal to the sum of 15 + 1.
Sixteenth
One of 16 equal parts.
Sixteen
The 16th in a set or sequence.
Sixteenth
The ordinal form of the number sixteen.
Sixteen
The cardinal number occurring after fifteen and before seventeen, represented in Arabic numerals as 16 and in Roman numerals as XVI.
Sixteenth
One of sixteen equal parts of a whole.
A sixteenth of 320 is 20.
Sixteen
Six and ten; consisting of six and ten; fifteen and one more.
Sixteenth
Sixth after the tenth; next in order after the fifteenth.
Sixteen
The number greater by a unit than fifteen; the sum of ten and six; sixteen units or objects.
Sixteenth
Constituting or being one of sixteen equal parts into which anything is divided.
Sixteen
A symbol representing sixteen units, as 16, or xvi.
Sixteenth
The quotient of a unit divided by sixteen; one of sixteen equal parts of one whole.
Sixteen
The cardinal number that is the sum of fifteen and one
Sixteenth
The next in order after the fifteenth; the sixth after the tenth.
Sixteen
Being one more than fifteen
Sixteenth
An interval comprising two octaves and a second.
Sixteenth
Position 16 is a countable series of things
Sixteenth
Coming next after the fifteenth in position
Common Curiosities
Can "sixteenth" be used to discuss quantity?
No, "sixteenth" is used for positioning, not for counting quantity.
What is the main use of "sixteenth"?
It is primarily used as an ordinal number to denote position in a sequence.
How do "sixteenth" and "sixteen" differ in a historical context?
"Sixteenth" might refer to a specific order in history, like the 16th century, whereas "sixteen" could refer to quantities or counts in historical records.
What is the difference in grammatical usage between "sixteenth" and "sixteen"?
"Sixteenth" is an ordinal adjective, while "sixteen" is a cardinal numeral.
How are "sixteenth" and "sixteen" used in music?
"Sixteenth" refers to a type of musical note, while "sixteen" might refer to a count of bars.
How might "sixteen" appear in a legal document?
As a count of items or age, such as sixteen years of age being the legal driving age.
What does "sixteen" represent?
It is a cardinal number used to express a quantity of sixteen.
Is "sixteen" ever used in a fractional sense like "sixteenth"?
No, "sixteen" refers to a whole number, whereas "sixteenth" can represent a fraction.
What would be an example of "sixteenth" in sports?
Referring to a position, like finishing sixteenth in a race.
Can "sixteen" be used to denote position?
No, for positions, "sixteenth" is the appropriate term.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
