Ninty or Ninety? Which Is Correct?
The English language can sometimes be tricky when it comes to spelling, especially when words sound similar or share common patterns. One such confusion arises with the word ninety. Many people wonder whether it should be spelled ninty or ninety. The correct spelling is ninety. The incorrect form ninty is a common misspelling, but it is not recognized in standard English.
In this article, we will clarify why ninety is the correct spelling, explain the reasoning behind the common mistake, and provide examples of how to use ninety in sentences. We will also include practice questions with answers to help reinforce your understanding of the word ninety.
Table of Contents
The Correct Spelling: Ninety
The correct spelling is ninety, which is the number following eighty-nine and preceding ninety-one. It is an important number in many contexts, such as age, percentages, and years.
Definition of Ninety:
- Ninety (noun): The number 90.
- Part of Speech: It can be used as a noun or an adjective to refer to the quantity or ordinal position of 90.
Example Sentences:
- My grandmother is ninety years old.
- The temperature was ninety degrees yesterday.
- He scored ninety out of a hundred on his math test.
- The population of the town is about ninety thousand.
In all of these examples, ninety is used either as a number or an adjective that describes a quantity.
Why Ninety Is Correct
The word ninety follows the standard pattern of English number spelling, but it may seem tricky because of its relationship to the base number nine. When you look at the number nine, you might expect the spelling of ninety to be ninty—however, this is not the case.
The spelling ninety retains the e from the word nine even though the pronunciation slightly changes. This rule applies to other multiples of ten as well, such as:
- Twenty (not twoty)
- Thirty (not threety)
- Forty (though it drops the u from four)
Why the Confusion with Ninty?
The confusion likely arises because of the way ninety is pronounced. When spoken quickly, the e in ninety can sound almost silent, making it seem as though the word is spelled ninty. However, this is not the case, and ninety retains the e from nine.
Key Rule:
Always keep the e in ninety, just as it appears in the base number nine. This is a spelling rule that applies to all numbers with a base of nine (e.g., nineteen, ninth).
Incorrect:
- The store had ninty items left in stock.
Correct:
- The store had ninety items left in stock.
Common Usage of Ninety
The number ninety is frequently used in various contexts, such as age, percentages, prices, and even weather reports. Let’s explore some common situations where ninety is used.
1. As an Age
People often refer to ninety when talking about someone’s age, especially when celebrating major milestones like a 90th birthday.
Example:
- My grandfather just turned ninety this year.
2. In Percentages
In school, work, or financial contexts, percentages often use ninety, such as when referring to grades or success rates.
Example:
- She received ninety percent on her final exam.
3. In Prices or Quantities
In everyday commerce, ninety is often used in pricing or counting large quantities.
Example:
- The new phone costs ninety dollars.
4. In Weather Reports
Temperature measurements often refer to ninety, especially during hot summer days.
Example:
- The forecast predicts ninety degrees tomorrow.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Spelling Ninety as Ninty
The most common mistake is dropping the e and spelling the word as ninty. This usually happens because of the way ninety is pronounced. However, remember that the e from nine stays in the word ninety.
Incorrect:
- He scored ninty points in the game.
Correct:
- He scored ninety points in the game.
2. Confusing Ninety with Other Numbers
Sometimes, people confuse ninety with similar-sounding numbers like nineteen (19). Ensure you’re using ninety (90) when referring to the correct number.
Incorrect:
- There are ninty students in the class.
(Ninty is incorrect, and the speaker may have meant nineteen.)
Correct:
- There are ninety students in the class.
3. Mispronunciation
While pronunciation is not the focus of this article, it’s worth noting that some learners of English may mispronounce ninety due to its similarity to nineteen. Ensure that when pronouncing ninety, you emphasize the first syllable: NINE-tee.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here are a few tips to help you remember that ninety is the correct spelling:
1. Think of the Base Number: Nine
Since ninety comes from nine, remember to keep the e from nine in the spelling of ninety.
2. Visualize the Word
Picture yourself writing the word nine and simply adding a -ty to the end, forming ninety. The e doesn’t disappear.
3. Practice with Similar Words
Practice spelling other numbers that retain their base forms, such as twenty, thirty, and forty. These words will help you see the pattern.
4. Check a Dictionary
If you’re ever in doubt, consult a dictionary. You’ll find that ninety is the only correct spelling, while ninty is not recognized.
Practice Questions: Ninety or Ninty?
Let’s test your understanding with the following practice questions. Choose the correct form to complete each sentence.
Question 1:
Which form is correct in the following sentence?
- My grandmother is turning _ years old this weekend.
a) ninty
b) ninety
Answer:
b) ninety
Explanation: The correct spelling is ninety as it retains the e from the base word nine.
Question 2:
Fill in the blank with the correct word:
- The temperature reached _ degrees during the heatwave.
Answer:
The temperature reached ninety degrees during the heatwave.
Explanation: Ninety is the correct spelling, referring to the number 90.
Question 3:
True or False:
Ninty is an acceptable alternative spelling of ninety.
Answer:
False
Explanation: Ninty is not a valid word. The correct spelling is ninety.
Question 4:
Which sentence is correct?
a) He bought ninty apples from the market.
b) He bought ninety apples from the market.
Answer:
*b) He bought ninety apples from the market.
Explanation: Ninety is the correct spelling, and ninty is incorrect.
Question 5:
Fill in the blank:
- The athlete completed the race in under _ minutes.
Answer:
The athlete completed the race in under ninety minutes.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct spelling is ninety, not ninty. The word ninety refers to the number 90 and retains the e from its base form nine. The spelling ninty is a common mistake, likely caused by the way the word is pronounced, but it is not recognized in standard English.
By remembering that ninety follows the pattern of other numbers like nine and nineteen, you can confidently use the correct spelling in your writing. Practice using ninety in sentences, and soon enough, you’ll avoid the common pitfall of writing ninty.
With practice, you’ll be able to use ninety correctly every time, whether you’re talking about age, percentages, prices, or anything else involving the number 90.
