Numerals in English

If you begin to learn English, then one day you will certainly meet with the need to use numerals. For example, when you want to tell your age or the date of birth. Then, as the vocabulary expands, you will have new reasons to use numbers, dates, numbers, 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 figures, and find out what exercises can be used by students of a foreign language in order to better understand this question and learn how to read in English without thinking.

What are the numerals

Since this topic is very relevant for foreign language learners, it makes sense to first understand how the carriers of another culture carry out the account.

Numbers are just numbers, and numerals in English are called Numerals. The latter, as in the Russian language, are divided into two large groups.

The first one answers the question: "How many?" ("How many?"). In this case, we figure out the number of objects, phenomena or people.

The second group answers the question: "Which?" ("Which?", "Which?"). Here the goal is to find the serial number or the position in which the object (the phenomenon, the person) is in relation to others the same.

With the help of these two questions, quantitative and ordinal numerals are formed in English. Now we will understand, in what situations they are used, and also we will find out the ways, which help them to remember better.

Numerals: English translation

There is a general scheme for the formation of special words for the account. If you do not know it, then numerals in English can seem incredibly complex and confusing. In reality, the scheme is simple and is based on a dozen words that are not worth learning.

Numbers from 0 to 10

At present, with the widespread study of the English language, they are known even to preschoolers. But in these simple figures is the whole basis of the account. If you firmly learn their pronunciation and writing, the further digital series will cease to seem something incomprehensible and difficult to remember. Understanding the general principle, you will easily master the entire system. Here's how the ordinal numbers in English consistently range from 0 to 10:

• Zero is zero;
• One-one;
• Two - two;
• Three - three;
• Four - four;
• Five - five;
• Six - six;
• Seven - seven;
• Eight to eight;
• Nine - nine;
• Ten - ten.

Do not be lazy and pay attention to the lasting memorization of both oral and written forms of words. This will help you navigate in the future numerical series.

Account 11 to 19

We continue to plunge 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, which must be hard learned, just as you did with numbers from 0 to 10. Remember:

• Eleven - eleven;
• Twelve to twelve.

Further, the general principle comes into play: the suffix -teen is appended to the basis of the quantitative numerals from interval 3-9. The result is:

• Thirteen - thirteen;
• Fourteen - fourteen;
• Fifteen - fifteen;
• Sixteen to sixteen;
• Seventeen - seventeen;
• Eighteen - eighteen;
• Nineteen is nineteen.

Note that the pronunciation of numbers 13 and 15 is significantly different from 3 and 5.

We consider dozens

Now it's time to learn how to form, pronounce and write numerals in English to 100. In the formation of words denoting dozens, the general scheme also operates. It consists in attaching the suffix -ty to the basics you already know:

• Twenty - twenty;
• Thirty - thirty;
• Forty-forty;
• Fifty - fifty;
• Sixty-sixty;
• Seventy - seventy;
• Eighty - eighty;
• Ninety - ninety.

And the ordinal numeral "hundred" is singled out separately. Pay attention also to the special writing of the figure 40.

We analyze complex numerals

Now we will learn to count consistently, using dozens and ones. The principle here is uncomplicated: two words are combined together. In the beginning, there is one that indicates the number of tens, followed by a figure expressing the number of units. Such a compound number is hyphenated. 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 tell about quantitative numerals in English, containing words "hundred", "one thousand" and "one million". In this case, the same system of connecting several numbers operates. You can add the "and" union (and), which is usually done in British English. The American version of the language does not use the 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.

Having understood and mastered the general principle, you can easily read even long and complex numbers.

How are ordinal numerals formed in English?

After some practice, it will be already easy for you to call any number or number of items in a foreign language. After a thorough training in quantitative numerals, you can proceed to the development of ordinal ones.

They are special words denoting the order of objects in the account. To form most of them is not difficult, it suffices to add the suffix -th to the corresponding quantitative numeral. If the number is compound (twenty-three, one hundred and fifty, etc.), then the suffix is added to the last word. In addition, before the ordinal numbers are usually put the definite article the. To understand this most easily on examples:

• The tenth - the tenth;
• The sixteenth - the sixteenth;
• Forty-seventh - the forty-seventh;
• One hundred eighth.

Using ordinal numerals in English, it is necessary to remember several exceptions to the rules. They have developed in the language historically and now are stable forms that you just need to memorize:

• The first is the first;
• The second is the second;
• The third is the third;
• The fifth is the fifth;
• The ninth - the ninth;
• The twelfth - the twelfth.

In the last two cases, attention should be paid mainly to the written form of the numerals, and not the oral one.

Read the dates in English

The numerical designation of the year can be a bit of a challenge for those who do not know how to correctly read it. A common mistake many beginners make to learn a foreign language is to try to read the date as it is. In fact, it is necessary to divide the four-digit number into two two-digit numbers and to pronounce them separately.

For example, 1856 is read very simply: eighteen fifty six (eighteen - fifty-six). Another example: 1612 is read as sixteen twelve (sixteen to twelve).

The task gets a bit complicated with dates like 1902, 1508, etc. In these cases, it's like this: zero is pronounced not as zero, but as the letter o [əu].

• 1902 - nineteen o two;
• 1508 - fifteen o eight.

Dates signifying the beginning of this or that century are read in a peculiar way. 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, there is a simple rule: call exactly the figure you see.

If your date refers to the tenth century, then use the words "one hundred" (one hundred):

• 1024 - one hundred (and) twenty-four;
• 1009 - one hundred o nine.

Since mankind has long crossed the boundary between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the dates containing the words "two thousand" are used in the speech of people more often. For example:

• 2000 - two thousand;
• 2006 - two thousand (and) six.

In recent years, a new trend has emerged. Dates, beginning in 2010, can be read in both ways: with the words "two thousand" or classically, broken down into two two-digit numbers. For example:

• 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 example:

• 1/5 - a (one) fifth;
• 1/42 - a (one) forty-second;
• 1/100 - a (one) hundredth.

Special words for the denominator are singled out separately: "half", "third" and "quarter". The latter concept is synonymous with the word fourth and is applied with it on a par with. 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 ending of the plural -s is added to the denominator. For example:

• 2/5 - two fifths;
• 7/10 - seven tenths.

If a fractional numeral has a whole part, it must be called separately, not forgetting about the union "and" (and):

• 5 1/2 - five and a half;
• 1 2/40 - one and two fortieth.

When writing decimals , the point is used instead of the comma in the Russian language:

• 0.5 - (zero) point five;
• 2.6 - two point six.

At the same time in the British version of English, it is a complex number to pronounce one number, like this: 5.293 - five point two nine three.

Check yourself and practice

To successfully master this topic, it is necessary to perform exercises on numerals. English, like any other language, can not be learned by simply reading theory. Continually apply the knowledge gained in practice, so they will be more quickly and more firmly absorbed.

Today, you can find a lot of oral and written assignments, as well as interactive tests, where the element is omitted and it is suggested to choose from the available answers. Such exercises are effective, but in large numbers cause boredom. Diversify your training by including in it game exercises (English). Numbers have a lot of games. For example, you can find a partner who will throw you a ball, calling the numerals in Russian, and you must answer in English. Further, the game can be complicated to the phrases: "fifty-six trees," "half a pie," and so on.

It's interesting to play in a numeric Bingo. Players draw a square with six cells, each write one number (it is better to agree in advance about the digital gap within which the game is played). Then the presenter calls arbitrary numerals in English. If in the square of one of the players there is such a figure, 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 even become fascinating if you approach it creatively and with the elements of the game.