What is the 13th letter of the English alphabet when the letters are written in their usual order from A to Z?

Introduction / Context:
This is a basic sequence question on the English alphabet. It tests simple but important recall of the order of letters from A to Z and asks the candidate to identify the letter that lies at a specific position, namely the 13th position. Such questions check attention to detail and familiarity with alphabetical order.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The English alphabet is taken in its standard sequence from A to Z.
• The question asks for the 13th letter in that sequence.
• We assume no letters are omitted or rearranged.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is straightforward. We list or mentally recall the positions of letters in order. A is 1st, B is 2nd, C is 3rd, and so on, up to Z as 26th. The 13th letter is exactly at the halfway point of the 26 letter alphabet. By counting carefully or recalling standard position facts, we identify which letter occupies position 13.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the English alphabet has 26 letters, from A to Z. Step 2: Count positions sequentially: A is 1, B is 2, C is 3, D is 4, E is 5, F is 6, G is 7, H is 8, I is 9, J is 10, K is 11, L is 12, M is 13. Step 3: Therefore, the 13th letter is M. Step 4: No further adjustments are needed, since there are no skipped letters.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to verify is to remember that the alphabet has 26 letters, so the 13th letter is exactly in the middle. Many learners memorise that the first half ends at M and the second half starts at N. Knowing this directly confirms that M is indeed the 13th letter without recounting each letter individually.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
N is the 14th letter, not the 13th. L is the 12th letter, one position before the required one. K is the 11th letter, two positions before the required one.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students miscount if they rush, especially when counting without writing the letters down. Others confuse which letter is the midpoint of the alphabet. Doing a quick mental or written count, or recalling that M is the 13th and N is the 14th, helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The 13th letter of the English alphabet is M.