Практическая грамматика

§ 5. The functions of ordinal numerals in a sentence.
As a rule ordinal numerals are used as attributes.
"No, this is my first dance," she said. (Mansfield)
Almost immediately the band started and her second partner seemed to spring from the ceiling. (Mansfield)
But they may also be used as subject, as predicative and as object.
Then, advancing obliquely towards us came a fifth. (Wells) (SUBJECT)
Sooner or later, someone is going to tell you about that damned river, so I might as well be the first. (Wilson) (predicative)
... she noted a scar on his cheek, another that peeped out from under the hair of the forehead, and a third that ran down and disappeared under the starched collar. (London) (object)
In fractional numbers the numerator is a cardinal and the de­nominator is a substantivized ordinal: two-thirds, three-sixths.
Decimal fractions are read in the following way: 7.58—seven point (decimal) five eight.


Chapter VI

THE WORDS OF THE CATEGORY OF STATE

§ 1. The words of the category of state denote the temporary state or condition of persons or things.
But Johnny and Paddy were asleep, the rose-red glow had paled, bats were flying, and still the bathers had not returned. (Mans­field)
Crearer said, "I'm afraid, General, we have to rely on the appeal of the leaflet." (Heym)
§ 2. As regards form the words of the category of state have the prefix a-: ablaze, afire, aflame, afoot, afraid, asleep, awake etc.
§ 3. They are mainly used in the function of a predicative.
“He is awake!” Sally cried. (Saxton)
That was all right in the daytime, but while Alice was putting her to bed she grew suddenly afraid. (Mansfield)
When he got into bed, he was sure he'd never fall asleep, and yet he was dog-tired. (Wilson).
... but at the first double knock every window in the street became alive with female heads. (Dickens)
Words of the category of state may be used as objective pre­dicatives.
She was saying that she intended to leave him entirely alone again. (Wilson)
Words of the category of state may be sometimes used as attri­butes. But unlike adjectives they cannot be placed before the words they modify. As attributes they may be only used in post-position:
The father and mother dolls, who sprawled very stiff as though they had fainted in the drawing-room, and their two little children asleep upstairs were really too big for the doll's house. (Mansfield)