19

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "19" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to a specific number, such as age, quantity, or a point in a list.
Example: "She celebrated her 19th birthday last week."
Alternatives: "nineteen" or "the number 19".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

My father died when I was 18.

The Guardian

The French champions are seeking a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who is to take up the reins at Real Madrid along with his coaching staff, having steered the French club to their first league title in 19 years and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

I've just got a thing about people and songs telling you how you should feel.' · A Larum is released on Vertigo on 19 May.

The Guardian - Music

Trial is scheduled to continue through 19 December.

The Guardian

"I was 19 when the war broke out," Piechowski says.

The Guardian

Separately, the controller of drama commissioning Ben Stephenson forked out £1,272.94 for a "development meeting" with "key drama indies" on 17 August, which 19 guests attended at a cost to the licence-fee payer of just under £70 a head.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Platinum refiner Johnson Matthey dropped 102p to £23.06 as third quarter profits fell 19% to £84.3m, hit by lower sales of catalytic converters for car exhaust systems in Europe and weak demand in Japan.

The Guardian - Business

'Please don't write about me,' says Carol. 'I always talk too much.' She is still angry about an article written about her daughter which suggested that the 19-year-old, whose parents manage her career, was not being allowed to break free of them.

The Guardian - Film

Moments later, McLaughlin came close again, this time with a 19-yard free-kick.

The Guardian - Sport

The manager was so impressed by the 19-year-old that he bought him for £300,000 and, two days after the right-back's arrival, put him straight into the starting line-up for a duel with Manchester United.

The Guardian - Sport

But what took me by surprise was the appearance of this 19-year-old kid who at that time nobody knew.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "19" in formal writing, ensure it is relevant to the context and provides specific information. For example, use it when referring to exact ages, dates, or quantities to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "19" without proper context. Always specify what the number refers to (e.g., "19 years old", "19 items") to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The number "19" primarily functions as a cardinal numeral, specifying a quantity or identifying a position in a sequence. Ludwig examples show it denoting ages, scores, dates, and other numerical values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

26%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The numeral "19" is a cardinal number primarily used to specify quantities, ages, and dates across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig highlights, it commonly appears in news, sports reporting, and business contexts, demonstrating its versatile application. Although generally neutral in register, clarity is paramount. Ensure that the context is clear when using "19" to prevent ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms that the use of "19" is grammatically correct and very common. Consider using alternatives such as "nineteen" or approximations like "almost twenty" for stylistic variation or when precision isn't essential.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nineteen

Replaces the numeral with its spelled-out form.

The number nineteen

Emphasizes the numeral as a quantity or identifier.

A score of 19

Provides context for when "19" may be a score in a game.

The age of 19

Adds context specifying that "19" is used to refer to a person's age.

Nearly twenty

Offers an approximate value close to "19".

Almost twenty

Expresses a quantity that is slightly less than twenty.

FAQs

How do I use "19" in a sentence?

Use "19" to specify a quantity, age, or date. For example: "She is "19 years old"", "The event is scheduled for "19 December"".

Is it better to write out "nineteen" instead of using the numeral "19"?

The choice depends on the context. Generally, use numerals for ages, scores, statistics, and dates. Spell out numbers at the beginning of sentences or in more formal writing unless they are large numbers.

What can I say instead of "19" if I want to be less precise?

You could say "almost twenty", "around twenty", or "just under twenty" to indicate an approximate value.

When is it appropriate to use "19th" instead of "19"?

Use "19th" when indicating an ordinal position or date (e.g., "the 19th century", "the 19th of May"). Use "19" when referring to a quantity or age (e.g., "19 students", "19 years old").