If you start learning English, then one day you will certainly meet with the need to use numerals. For example, when you want to tell your age or name your date of birth. Then, as your vocabulary expands, you will have more and more reasons to use numbers, dates, quantities and other numbers in English. In this article, you will learn some important concepts, get acquainted with the logic of the formation of words denoting numbers, and find out what exercises foreign language learners can use to better understand this issue and learn how to count 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 carriers of another culture count.
Just numbers - Numbers, and numerals in English are called Numerals. The latter, as in Russian, are divided into two large groups.
The first one answers the question: "How many?" ("How much?"). In this case, we find out the number of objects, phenomena or people.
The second group answers the question: "Which?"("What?", "Which?"). Here the goal is to find out the serial number or the position of the object (phenomenon, person) in relation to others of the same kind.
With the help of these two questions, cardinal and ordinal numbers are formed in English. Now let's figure out in what situations they are used, and also find out ways to help you remember them better.
Numerals: English translation
There is a general scheme for the formation of special words for counting. If you do not know it, then the numerals in English may seem incredibly complex and confusing. In fact, the scheme is simple and based on a dozen words that cost nothing to learn.
Numbers from 0 to 10
At present, 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 number series will no longer seem something incomprehensible and difficult to remember. Once you understand the general principle, you will easily master the whole system. This is how ordinal numbers look like in English sequentially from 0 to 10:
- zero - zero;
- one - one;
- two - two;
- three - three;
- four - four;
- five - five;
- six - six;
- seven - seven;
- eight - eight;
- nine – nine;
- ten – ten.
Do not be lazy and pay attention to strong memorization as oral,as well as the written form of words. This will help you navigate the next number row.
Counting from 11 to 19
Continue diving into the world of cardinal numbers. In the range from 11 to 19, they are formed according to a single pattern. There are only two exceptions that need to be firmly memorized, just like you did with the numbers from 0 to 10. Remember:
- eleven – eleven;
- twelve – twelve.
Next, the general principle comes into play: the suffix -teen is added to the base of cardinal numbers from the interval 3-9. The result is:
- thirteen - thirteen;
- fourteen – fourteen;
- fifteen – fifteen;
- sixteen - sixteen;
- seventeen - seventeen;
- eighteen - eighteen;
- nineteen – nineteen.
Please note that the pronunciation of 13 and 15 is significantly different from 3 and 5.
Counting in tens
Now it's time to learn how numbers up to 100 are formed, pronounced and written in English. In the formation of words denoting whole tens, the general scheme also operates. It consists in attaching the -ty suffix 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 number stands out separately"hundred" - hundred. Also note the special spelling of the number 40.
Dissecting complex numbers
Now we will learn to count sequentially using tens and ones. The principle here is simple: two words are joined together. At the beginning is the one that indicates the number of tens, and then comes the number expressing the number of units. Such a composite 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 tell about cardinal numbers in English containing the words "hundred", "thousand" and "million". In this case, the same system of connecting several numerals applies. You can add the union "and" (and), which is usually done in British English. The American variant of the language does not use the conjunction 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.
When you understand and master the general principle, you can easily read even long and complex numbers.
How ordinal numbers are formed in English
After some practice, it will be easy for you to name any number or number of objects in a foreign language. Thoroughlyhaving practiced cardinal numbers, you can move on to mastering ordinal numbers.
They are special words that indicate the order of items when counting. It is not difficult to form most of them; it is enough to attach the suffix -th to the corresponding cardinal number. If the number is compound (twenty-three, one hundred and fifty, etc.), then the suffix is added to the last word. In addition, ordinal numbers are usually preceded by the definite article the. The easiest way to understand this is with examples:
- the tenth;
- the sixteenth;
- forty-seventh - the forty-seventh;
- one hundred and eighth.
When using ordinal numbers in English, there are a few exceptions to the rule. They have developed in the language historically and now they are stable forms that you just need to memorize:
- the first;
- the second;
- the third - the third;
- fifth – the fifth;
- ninth - the ninth;
- twelfth – the twelfth.
In the last two cases, attention should be paid mainly to the written form of the numeral, not the oral one.
Reading dates in English
The number of the year can be a little tricky for those who don't know how to read it correctly. A common mistake many language beginners make is trying to read the dateas it is. What you really need to do is split a four-digit number into two two-digit ones and say them separately.
For example, 1856 reads very simply: eighteen fifty six (eighteen - fifty six). Another example: 1612 is read as sixteen twelve (sixteen - twelve).
The task becomes a little more complicated with dates like 1902, 1508, etc. In these cases, they do this: zero is pronounced not as zero, but as the letter o [əu].
- 1902 – nineteen o two;
- 1508 – fifteen o eight.
Dates are read in a peculiar way, indicating the beginning of a particular century. In such cases, the word "hundred" (hundred) is used. Examples:
- 1200 – twelve hundred;
- 1500 – fifteen hundred;
- 1900 – nineteen hundred.
If you want to name a 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 you see.
If your date is in the tenth century then use the words "one hundred":
- 1024 – one hundred (and) twenty-four;
- 1009 – one hundred or nine.
Since humanity has long crossed the line between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, dates containing the words "two thousand" are used in people's speechmore often. For example:
- 2000 – two thousand;
- 2006 – two thousand (and) six.
In recent years, a new trend has emerged. Dates since 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.
Reading fractional numbers
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 cardinal number, and the denominator as ordinal. For example:
- 1/5 – a (one) fifth;
- 1/42 – a (one) forty-second;
- 1/100 – a (one) hundredth.
Special words for the denominator stand out separately: "half" (half), "third" (third) and "quarter" (quarter). The last concept is synonymous with the word fourth and is used equally with it. Examples:
- 1/2 – a (one) half;
- third/3 – a (one);
- 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 example:
- 2/5 – two fifths;
- 7/10 – seven tenths.
If a fractional number 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 dot (point) is used instead of the usual comma in Russian:
- 0.5 – (zero) point five;
- 2.6 – two point six.
At the same time, in British English, it is customary to pronounce a complex number one digit at a time, like this: 5.293 – five point two nine three.
Test yourself and practice
To successfully master this topic, you need to perform exercises on numerals. English, like any other language, cannot be learned by simply reading theory. Constantly apply the acquired knowledge in practice, so they will be absorbed faster and more firmly.
Today you can find a lot of oral and written tasks, as well as interactive tests, where an element is omitted in a sentence and you are asked to choose from the available answers. Such exercises are effective, but in large quantities they cause boredom. Diversify your learning by including game exercises (English). There are many games for numbers. For example, you can find a partner who will throw you a ball, calling the numeral in Russian, and you must answer in English. Further, the game can be complicated to phrases: “fifty-six trees”, “half a pie”, etc.
It's fun to play number bingo. Players draw a square with six cells, in each they write one number (it is better to agree in advance on the digital interval within which the game is played). Then the host calls arbitrary numbers 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 leader guessed all the numbers first.
"English numerals" is a simple topic that can even become fun if you approach it creatively and playfully.
