If you start to learn English, then one day you will certainly meet with the need to use numbers. For example, when you want to tell your age or give a date of birth. Then, as the vocabulary expands, you will have more and more reasons to use numbers, dates, quantity names and other numerals in English. In this article, you will learn several important concepts, get acquainted with the logic of the formation of words denoting numbers, and learn what exercises can be used by students of a foreign language to better understand this issue and learn to count in English without thinking.
What are the numbers
Since this topic is very relevant for students of a foreign language, it makes sense at first to understand how the speakers of another culture carry out the bill.
The numbers are simply Numbers, and the numerals in English are called Numerals. The latter, as in the Russian language, are divided into two large groups.
The first answers the question: "How many?" ("How many?"). In this case, we find out the number of objects, phenomena or people.
The second group answers the question: "Which?" ("Which?", "Which?"). Here, the goal is to find out the serial number or what position the object (phenomenon, person) is in relation to others the same.
With the help of these two questions, quantitative and ordinal numerals in English are formed. Now we will figure out in what situations they are used, and also find out ways to help them better remember.
Numerals: translation into English
There is a general scheme for the formation of special words for counting. If you do not know it, then the numerals in English can seem incredibly complex and confusing. In fact, the scheme is simple and based on a dozen words that are worthless to learn.
Numbers from 0 to 10
Currently, with the widespread study of English, they are known even to preschoolers. But these simple numbers are the whole basis of the account. If you firmly learn their pronunciation and spelling, then the further digital series will cease to seem something incomprehensible and difficult to remember. Understanding the general principle, you can easily master the whole system. Here is how ordinals in English consistently from 0 to 10:
- zero - zero;
- one is one;
- two - two;
- three - three;
- four - four;
- five - five;
- six is six;
- seven - seven;
- eight - eight;
- nine - nine;
- ten is ten.
Do not be lazy and pay attention to strong memorization of both oral and written form of words. This will help you navigate the future numerical row.
Score 11 to 19
We continue to dive into the world of quantitative numbers. In the interval from 11 to 19, they are formed according to a single scheme. There are only two exceptions that you must firmly memorize, just as you did with numbers from 0 to 10. Remember:
- eleven - eleven;
- twelve - twelve.
Then a general principle comes into effect: the suffix -teen is added to the basis of quantitative numbers from the interval 3-9. The result is:
- thirteen thirteen;
- fourteen - fourteen;
- fifteen - fifteen;
- sixteen sixteen;
- seventeen - seventeen;
- eighteen - eighteen;
- nineteen - nineteen.
Note that the pronunciation of the numbers 13 and 15 is significantly different from 3 and 5.
Counting dozens
Now it's time to find out how numerals in English are formed, pronounced and written up to 100. In the formation of words representing dozens, the general scheme also works. It consists in attaching the -ty suffix to the basics you already know:
- twenty to twenty;
- thirty to thirty;
- forty - forty;
- fifty to fifty;
- sixty - sixty;
- seventy - seventy;
- eighty - eighty;
- ninety - ninety.
And the ordinal numeral "hundred" - hundred is separately allocated. Also note the special spelling of the number 40.
We analyze complex numbers
Now we will learn to count sequentially, using tens and ones. The principle here is simple: two words come together. First comes the one that indicates the number of tens, and then comes the number that expresses the number of units. This compound number is written with a hyphen. Examples:
- 27 - twenty-seven;
- 39 - thirty-nine;
- 41 - forty-one;
- 54 - fifty-four;
- 68 - sixty-eight;
- 73 - seventy-three;
- 82 - eighty-two;
- 95 - ninety-five.
Separately, it is necessary to talk about quantitative numerals in English containing the words "one hundred," "one thousand," and "one million." In this case, the same system of joining several numerals applies. You can add the union "and" (and), which is usually done in British English. The American language does not use union in this case. Examples:
- 178 - one hundred (and) seventy-eight;
- 3941 - three thousand nine hundred (and) forty-one;
- 1400562 - one million four hundred thousand five hundred (and) sixty-two.
By understanding and understanding the general principle, you can easily read even long and complex numbers.
How are numerals in English formed?
After some practice, it will be easy for you to name any number or number of subjects in a foreign language. Having thoroughly trained in quantitative numerals, you can proceed to the development of ordinal numbers.
They are special words that indicate the order of items in the count. It is not difficult to form most of them; it suffices to add the suffix -th to the corresponding quantitative numeral. If the number is composite (twenty-three, one hundred and fifty, etc.), then the suffix is added to the last word. In addition, ordinal numbers are usually prefixed with the. This is easiest to figure out with examples:
- tenth - the tenth;
- sixteenth - the sixteenth;
- forty-seventh - the forty-seventh;
- one hundred and eighth - the one hundred eighth.
Using ordinals in English, you need to remember a few exceptions to the rule. They have developed historically in the language and are now stable forms that you just need to memorize:
- first - the first;
- the second is the second;
- the third is the third;
- fifth - the fifth;
- the ninth - the ninth;
- twelfth - the twelfth.
In the last two cases, attention should be paid mainly to the written form of the numeral, and not oral.
We read dates in English
The numerical designation of the year may be some difficulty for those who do not know how to read it correctly. A common mistake made by many beginners to learn a foreign language is an attempt to read the date as it is. In fact, you need to split a four-digit number into two two-digit numbers and pronounce them separately.
For example, 1856 reads very simply: eighteen fifty six (eighteen to fifty six). Another example: 1612 reads as sixteen twelve (sixteen to twelve).
The task is a little more complicated with dates like 1902, 1508, etc. In these cases, they do this: they pronounce zero not as zero, but as the letter o [əu].
- 1902 - nineteen o two;
- 1508 - fifteen o eight.
In a peculiar way, dates are read that indicate the beginning of a century. In such cases, the word “hundred” is used. Examples:
- 1200 - twelve hundred;
- 1500 - fifteen hundred;
- 1900 - nineteen hundred.
If you want to name the year represented by a three-digit number, follow this pattern:
- 469 - four hundred sixty-nine;
- 983 - nine hundred eighty-three.
In this case, a simple rule applies: name the exact number that you see.
If your date is from the tenth century, then use the words “one hundred” (one hundred):
- 1024 - one hundred (and) twenty-four;
- 1009 - one hundred o nine.
Since humanity has long crossed the line between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, dates containing the words “two thousand” are used more and more often in people's speech. For instance:
- 2000 - two thousand;
- 2006 - two thousand (and) six.
In recent years, a new trend has emerged. Dates starting in 2010 can be read in both ways: with the words “two thousand” or classically, broken down into two double-digit numbers. For instance:
- 2015 - two thousand (and) fifteen, or twenty fifteen;
- 2027 - two thousand (and) twenty seven, or twenty twenty-seven.
We read fractional numerals
When reading fractions, a separate system is used. It is not particularly difficult if you carefully understand it.
Ordinary fractions are pronounced as follows: the numerator as a quantitative numeral, and the denominator as an ordinal. For instance:
- 1/5 - a (one) fifth;
- 1/42 - a (one) forty-second;
- 1/100 - a (one) hundredth.
Special words for the denominator are highlighted separately: “half”, “third” (third) and “quarter” (quarter). The latter concept is synonymous with the word fourth and is applied with it on an equal footing. Examples:
- 1/2 - a (one) half;
- 1/3 - a (one) third;
- 1/4 - a (one) quarter (fourth).
In cases where the numerator is greater than one, the plural ending -s is added to the denominator. For instance:
- 2/5 - two fifths;
- 7/10 - seven tenths.
If a fractional numeral has an integer part, it must be called separately, not forgetting the union “and” (and):
- 5 1/2 - five and a half;
- 1 2/40 - one and two fortieth.
When writing decimal fractions, a point is used instead of the comma that is familiar in Russian:
- 0.5 - (zero) point five;
- 2.6 - two point six.
At the same time, in the British version of English it is customary to pronounce a complex number by one digit, like this: 5.293 - five point two nine three.
Test yourself and practice
To successfully master this topic, you need to perform exercises on the numerals. English, like any other language, cannot be learned by simply reading the theory. Constantly apply the acquired knowledge in practice, so they will be acquired faster and more firmly.
Today you can find a lot of oral and written assignments, as well as interactive tests, where an element is missing in the sentence and it is proposed to choose from the available answer options. Such exercises are effective, but in large numbers cause boredom. Diversify your learning by incorporating in-game exercises (English). There are many games on the numerals. For example, you can find a partner who will throw the ball to you, calling the numeral in Russian, and you must answer in English. Further, the game can be complicated up to phrases: “fifty six trees”, “half a pie”, etc.
It is interesting to play numerical bingo. Players draw a square with six cells, each write one number (it is better to agree in advance on the digital interval within which the game is played). The facilitator then calls the arbitrary numerals in English. If one of the players has such a number in the square, then it is crossed out. The winner is the one whose first leader guessed all the numbers.
"English numerals" is a simple topic that can become even fascinating if you study it creatively and with elements of the game.