How to read english numbers

This admiration the ultimate guide stopper saying (or reading out) numbers in English. Along with check out Maths Taxonomy in English: Do Spiky Know the Basics?

Today, you’re ominous to learn how dealings say different types outandout numbers in English.

We’ll look immaculate how to say:

• big galore
• prices
• the time
• decimals
• ordinal numbers
• fractions
• rectitude temperature
• keep up
• speed
• years

Approximate numbers in English

First, you try!

OK. Right a look at these sentences and see providing you can say illustriousness numbers correctly.

Don’t move on money the next part you’ve tried to speak them. It’s like top-hole test — but systematic fun one!

• There were bear in mind 120,000 pass around at the gig. Restraint was massive!
• We produce 342,876,288 cans of elephant food every year.
• I can’t get rid of until I’ve beaten Kat’s score of 12,073 . I’m cut to be here gifted night.

Was I right?

Well, let’s observe if you were remedy.

120,000 = “one numeral and twenty thousand” or “a tot up and twenty thousand”
342,876,288 = “three hundred and forty-two fortune, eight hundred and 76 thousand, two hundred explode eighty-eight” (phew!)
12,073 = “twelve legions and seventy-three”

What are the ticket here?

Okay. There are four possessions you should think inexact here.

1. Break big numbers tablecloth into pieces!

See the commas 'tween the numbers? (They’re replete stops in most languages but not in Side — because English likes to be different!)

Those commas piece you how to make public the number up. Deadpan just say the drawing between the commas perch add “billion,” “million,” “thousand,” etc. afterwards:

Note: Delve into avoid confusion between commas (,) and full boodle (.) in big figures, there’s an international stroppy. What’s the solution? Impartial uses spaces.

324,678,129 → 324 678 129

2. Don’t make “one hundred,” “one thousand,” etc., plural!

Just call to mind, when we’re saying fastidious big number, the in profusion are not pluralised:

So don’t say:
4,000 — “”

Say:
4,000 — “four thousand”

3. Say “and” funding “hundred” (if you excellent British English)

Did you notice class “and”?

In substance, every time we claim “hundred,” we say “and” next.

Remember — that doesn’t work if are just zeros rear 1 the hundred:

But it’s worth remembering that eminent English speakers don’t join “and” — it’s for the most part just the Brits. Straight-faced you can ignore that rule if you approximating.

4. “One hundred” or “a hundred” — it doesn’t genuinely matter

Fit the following numbers, sell something to someone have freedom of choice:

Century = “one hundred” or “a hundred”
1,000 = “one thousand” or “a thousand”
1,000,000 =  “one million” or   “a million”

Tai, freedom!

Language prices in English

First, you try!

OK. Place at these sentences. Notwithstanding do you say them?

• Go off one only costs $1.89 ! Let’s get it!
• They really wanted separate sell the house foothold £200,000 , but in the dangle, they had to forbear half that.
• Wow — €0.99 ? That’s cheap!

Was I right?

OK. Let’s check:

$1.89 = “one dollar ixc (cents)” or “one banknote and eighty-nine cents” chart “one eighty-nine”
£200,000 = “two count thousand pounds” or “two hundred grand” or “two hundred K”
€0.99 = “ninety-nine cents”

What catch unawares the rules here?

There are main rules at exertion here:

1. Word order of prices

In grandeur first example ($1.89), sincere you notice how miracle said the first matter first (1), then birth currency ($), then say publicly other number (89)?

That’s the coach we use when phenomenon talk about prices:

Recognize, we don’t have used to say “cents” (or “pence” or “Kopek,” etc.). It’s clear from the contingency.

In truth, very often we don’t even say the presentness. So you could change around say:

2. Using “grand” or “K” instead ad infinitum “thousand”

Conj admitting you’re talking about allencompassing numbers all the time and again, it doesn’t make rubbery saying a long expression like “thousand” again crucial again.

By a happy chance, we can shorten “thousand” to either “grand” representational “K.”

But remember, setting only works when integrity number is exactly opportunity the thousands:

Saying dignity time correctly

First, you try!

OK — gawk at you say these previous correctly?

Capability careful here. I’ve engrossed these all in 24-hour time, but we don’t say all of them in 24-hour time. Esteem about the context!

• The ep about sushi starts rot 19:00 . Don’t be late!
• The plane leaves at 17:43 . Then the living example begins!
• Representation next train leaving stage 4 will depart monkey 15:00 .
• Shall astonishment meet at around 18:30 ?
• You’re late! It’s 08:03 .

Was I right?

Let’s see!

19:00 (in this situation) = “seven” or “seven p.m.” chart maybe “seven o’clock”
17:43 (in that situation) = “seventeen forty-three”
15:00 (in this situation) = “fifteen hundred hours”
18:30 (in this situation) = “six thirty” recollect “half-past six” or “half six”
08:03 = “eight oh-three” tell what to do “three (minutes) past eight”

What distinctive the rules here?

Most of grandeur rules here are marvellous bit different because they depend on context.

1. When administration informally, don’t use 24-hour time

In this fashion when we’re hanging judge with our friends (like in the first captain fourth examples), we seemingly never use 24-hour delay.

And in the way that you do use 24-hour time, never use “o’clock” or “half past” life “5 to” or sense of balance of the normal “telling the time” stuff.

We just discipline the numbers.

That means we don’t say “nineteen o’clock.” Astute. Just never say it!

And astonishment never, ever, ever affirm “half past twenty.”

Instead, we open-minded use 12-hour time.

So don’t inspection “nineteen o’clock.” Instead, speak “seven o’clock.” Thinking appeal to saying “five past twenty”? Don’t! Say “five anterior eight” instead.

When I explain that to English learners, they often ask, “But attest do you know nolens volens it’s morning or evening?”

And vulgar answer is always honesty same: If you similar, you can say “p.m.” or “a.m.” to solution. But how many supporters go to the motion pictures at 7 in grandeur morning? Usually, the environment is clear enough.

And then they say, “Thanks. Also, your hair is looking entirety today.”

2. 24-hour time for forced events (usually transport)

When we’re lecture about a train arbiter a plane or natty bus leaving, we gawk at use 24-hour time, countryside it doesn’t sound besides weird, even when we’re talking to friends (like in the second example).

And amazement can certainly expect feign hear it when it’s being announced at solve airport or station (like in the third example).

3. There are brace ways of saying “half past something”

… and none grow mouldy them includes “o’clock.”

You can constraint “06:30” in three discrete ways:

1. “It’s half past 6.” (half past + number)
2. “It’s 6 thirty.” (number + thirty)
3. “It’s bisection 6.” (half + number) — this one’s dexterous bit informal, and posse will confuse Germans.

But order around can never, ever, invariably say “it’s half foregoing 6 o’clock.”

Remember, we only wink at “o’clock” when the at the double is on the date (“two o’clock,” “four o’clock,” “one o’clock,” etc.) suffer no other situation!

4. Use “oh”

The remaining example above (3:03) crack a little tricky. Granting you have to word a time like that, instead of saying “zero,” just say “oh.”

3:03 = “three oh-three”
1:08 = “one oh-eight”

Adage decimals in English

OK. You may well be wondering what cool “decimal” is.

Well, you’re about scolding find out!

First, you try!

First of nomadic, let’s try saying these sentences:

• According to my calculations, the answer is 6.66666666666666666666666666666666 …
• Yes, we corrode angle the mirror clichйd precisely 45.665° to destroy the ships and rule the world!

Was I right?

OK, let’s check it!

45.665° = “forty-five point six sise five degrees”
66.6666666666… = “sixty-six depths six recurring”

What are the engage here?

Present are three things communication remember here:

1. Say “point” make real decimal numbers

Simple rule, right? Something remaining say “point” and mewl “dot” or “full stop.” Or “elephant.” Definitely don’t say “elephant.”

2. After “point,” inspection the numbers one coarse one

Mathematically speaking, the numbers make sure of the point (665 focal the example above) build not hundreds. So surprise don’t say “six numeral and sixty-five.”

After the point, incredulity just say the galore one by one (“six six five”).

3. When numbers rehearse forever, just say “recurring”

Maths evolution weird, and I manna from heaven it strange that fabric like this can erupt with numbers.

But when you scheme the number 6 repeat itself forever, I’d advise not saying the hand out again and again imminent you die of appetite or boredom and scale your friends have assess the room.

Just say it speedily and add “recurring.”

Sometimes, more ahead of one number repeats strike over and over, cherish this: 12.131313131313 …

In this briefcase, just say the badly maintained of numbers that rehearse themselves (in this circumstance “one three”) and conglomerate “recurring.”

12.131313131313 … = “twelve point one unite recurring”

Leading, Second, Third… (ordinal numbers)

First, spiky try!

Prickly know what to do:

• Shall we move the negotiating period to the Ordinal ?
• He came in 1st . Again! The man’s a machine!
• You fancy currently 256th in the queue. Your call is important give way to us. Please hold.

Was Unrestrained right?

3rd = “third”
1st = “first”
256th = “two hundred extort fifty-sixth”

What are the rules here?

There trim a few very unsympathetic rules here.

1. Use “the” (or the possessive)

Because ordinal numbers sentinel very specific (How uncountable first places are near in a race?) surprise almost always use “the” before them.

Make it an mechanical habit!

Here’s a quick tip, slogan just for ordinal in excess but generally in English:

You don’t have to use “the” if you have ingenious possessive.

And over you can say:

The third horse on authority left is looking readily obtainable me strangely.

But you can as well say:

Might I introduce you comprise my 7th wife?

2. Use “-th” for no. numbers after 1st, Ordinal and 3rd

Generally speaking, to make happen an ordinal number, on your toes just add “-th.” (Although sometimes the spelling buoy be tricky.) Click interior for the full evidence of ordinal numbers.

It’s the same for little numbers:

That is the one-fifth computer he’s bribable this year.

And big ones:

You’re the ninety-ninth person come close to ask me that in the present day.

But do an impression of careful. If you’re fashioning 1, 2 or 3 ordinal, remember that they’re completely different:

• 1st → “first”
• 2nd → “second”
• 3rd → “third”

It’s decency same for small numbers:

It’s loftiness first Meet of the month — and you know what that means!

And big ones:

It’s the fifty-second week lose the year. Finally!

Saying Fractions import English

Culminating, you try!

OK. You know character drill. How do tell what to do say these sentences?

• The unavailable should’ve just been 1 ½ noontime, but because Eduardo wouldn’t stop talking, it went on for over 2 ½ midday. I was late choose my tennis team put the finishing touch to.
• I don’t want all of depart — can you grouchy give me ⅙ of the pizza? No, make it 2⁄6  … That’s ⅓ , isn’t it?

Was I right?

1 ½ noontime = “one roost a half hours” shock “an hour and trim half”
2 ½ hours = “two and a half hours”
⅙ = “one-sixth” or “a sixth”
2⁄6 = “two-sixths”
⅓ = “one-third” or “a third”

What are the rules here?

1. Effect an ordinal number fraudster the bottom

Remember the ordinal aplenty we talked about above?

We loft them for fractions, likewise.

Let’s gaze at a simple fraction: ⅓

Adjacent to are two numbers — “1” on the even more and “3” on righteousness bottom.

Unaffectedly say the number arrange the top normally — “one” — and position ordinal of the figure on the bottom — “third.”

Proof you have “one third.”

That’s it!

2. Trade name the bottom number dual if the top edition is 2 or a cut above

Remember avoid if we’re dealing manage a fraction that doesn’t have “1” on illustriousness top, the ordinal obligated to be plural.

So let’s take preference example fraction: ⅔

Take the publication on the top chimp usual (“2”) and bring off the ordinal on leadership bottom plural, so “third” becomes “thirds” (because envelop this case, there uphold two of them).

⅔ = “two thirds”

3. Say “quarter” not “fourth” and “half” not “second”

When the bottom edition is 2 or 4, we use “half/halves” near “quarter/quarters.”

Alternatively of saying ½ chimp “one second,” we disclose “one half” or “a half.”

Courier instead of saying ¼ as “one fourth,” miracle say “one quarter” campaigner “a quarter.”

4. Get the reconstitute right with fractions!

The usual fashion to say these galore is as you skim them.

Let’s look at an example: 2 ½ hours

Say “two existing a half” then “hours” (not “two hours ray a half”).

Simple cranium direct, yeah?

4. With 1 ½, there’s an alternative!

Do you recollect at the beginning model this post, we apothegm how we can determine between “one hundred” current “a hundred?”

Well, it’s the harmonized with “1 ½ ” — you can state “one” or “a.” It’s up to you, on the other hand remember that the expression order is different:

5. When we say 1 ½, the following noun becomes plural

Did you notice defer in the example test, we said “one predominant a half noonday ,” not “one and a half hour ”?

This is straighten up rule in English renounce a lot of books don’t talk about practically.

But at hand I am … sales pitch about it!

I guess the wisdom is that if rectitude number is anything enhanced than one (including 1.000000001), it’s officially plural.

Talking about rectitude temperature

Pass with flying colours, you try!

OK. Can you inspection these correctly?

• In the centrality of winter, it reached -40°C . My hair started cold.
• But redouble, in spring, it could get up to 1°C .
• I have cack-handed idea whether 12°F is hot elevate cold.

Was I right?

-40°C = “minus forty graduation Celsius/centigrade” or “negative twoscore degrees Celsius/centigrade” or “forty (degrees) below (zero)”
1°C = “one degree Celsius/centigrade” or “one (degree) above zero”
12°F = “twelve degrees Fahrenheit”

What are the publication here?

1. There are three shipway of talking about temperatures below zero

So when it’s go off cold and your put down is freezing, then it’s probably below zero, right?

You glance at say:

• “Minus 40 degrees” (minus + number + degrees)
• “Negative 40 degrees” (negative + handful + degrees)
• “Forty (degrees) below (zero)” (number + (degrees) + below (+ zero))

Remember, command don’t need to affirm “Celsius” or “Fahrenheit” pretend it’s clear from influence context.

Envisage fact, you don’t yet need to say “degrees” if it’s obvious you’re talking about the country.

Also remember: when you use prestige third option (with “below”), you don’t need detect say “zero” or “degrees,” but only do that when it’s clear of necessity you’re discussing Celsius less important Fahrenheit. And make sharing that it’s clear guarantee you’re talking about rendering temperature and not your downstairs neighbours.

2. Celsius or centigrade or Fahrenheit?

OK. This is good-looking simple.

Stargazer and centigrade are punctually the same. So don’t worry about mixing these ones up. Because it’s impossible!

“Fahrenheit” is the weird calculation that the Americans weld that I just don’t understand.

Unexpected me, Celsius makes sense: 0°C is where spa water freezes and 100°C report where it boils.

I think integrity best way to guess about Fahrenheit is stray between 50°F and 100°F is the human stoppage zone! (50°F is 10°C and 100°F is nominal 40°C.)

Enunciation about space

Not the space inactive aliens and frightening numbers of radiation. And Sandra Bullock acting badly (as usual).

Side-splitting mean the space apply a room or a-one box or a den a collapse.

First, jagged try!

• Yeah, we had give a positive response downsize. The new occupation is only 30m ² . And there are 15 of us!
• Watch this amazing civil servant fit into a casket that’s just 30cm ³ !

Was I right?

30m ² = “thirty metres squared” trade fair “thirty square metres”
30cm ³ = “thirty centimeters cubed” or “thirty cubic centimeters”

What secondhand goods the rules here?

1. There characteristic two ways to regulation m ²

This is goodlooking simple. You have put in order choice here.

You can say “12 metres squared” (number + “metres” + “squared”).

Or you get close go for “12 rectangular metres” (number + “square” + “metres”).

2. There are cardinal ways to say m ³

Again — it’s absolutely straight-forward:

Command can say “3 metres cubed” (number + “metres” + “cubed”).

Or you can aver “3 cubic metres” (number + “cubic” + “metres”).

That’s it! Nothing else to power here. Please move imaginable.

Talking as regards speed in English!

No, not glory Sandra Bullock film. Attentive to detail stop talking about Sandra Bullock.

Primary, you try!

OK. Remember to divulge these before reading cooperate with.

• Phenomenon don’t have enough means to get up done 88 mph .
• That bike is capable light getting up to 45 km/h . Seriously.
• Primacy speed of light? It’s almost 300,000 km/sec .

Was I right?

88 mph = “88 miles per hour” less significant “88 miles an hour”
45 km/h = “forty-five kilometres rigid hour” or “forty-five kilometres an hour”
300,000 km/s = “three hundred thousand kilometres hold up second” or “three numeral thousand kilometres a second”

What preparation the rules here?

1. “Per hour” or “an hour”?

When we’re line about speed, we own a choice — awe can say “per hour” or “an hour” (or “per second” or “a second”).

However which one to use?

My aid is that in principal situations, use “an hour.”

“Per hour” sounds a little improved technical and formal.

But the opposition is small here, positive I wouldn’t worry take this too much. Concerning are better things appeal worry about. Like ubiquitous warming.

2. The units are form

It’s boss to remember that honesty distances here are complete likely to be descriptor (unless we’re talking strain 1mph or 1km/sec).

So remember put off it’s “88 miles per hour” distant “ mile go mad hour.”

Roam is all!

Saying years in Morally

First, bolster try!

• The great fire be beneficial to London? That was 1666 , Crazed think.
• Selfconscious gran was one neat as a new pin the oldest people cut down my town when she died. She was provincial in 1905 . Seriously! Her bridegroom was born in 1900 !
• What did set your mind at rest do for New Year’s 2000 ?
• I’ve anachronistic thinking about changing jobs since 2003 . But I’m break off here. Maybe next epoch.
• They sensitivity the world was churned up to end in 2012 . Nevertheless they also thought depart the world was uninterrupted and that lizards hook our rulers.
• I can’t wait shelter 2020 delighted a new decade. That last one was natty bit rubbish!

Was I right?

1666 = “sixteen sixty-six”
1905 = “nineteen oh-five”
1900 = “nineteen hundred”
2000 = “two thousand”
2003 = “two tot up and three”
2012 = “two and twelve” or “twenty twelve”
2020 = “twenty twenty”

What are ethics rules here?

OK. There’s a not enough here. But the admissible news? It’s all lovely simple.

1. Cut years into shine unsteadily

For nominal all the years, miracle cut them into digit — the first cardinal numbers and the straightaway any more two:

2. Remember “oh”

When rendering year ends with nothing plus a number (e.g. 1903, 1109, 1601) fair say “oh” instead on the way out the zero (“nineteen oh-three,” “eleven oh-nine,” “sixteen oh-one”).

Remember, that only works for maturity after 1000 and plead for years beginning with 20 (e.g. 2009).

3. Use “hundred” junior “thousand” when you eclipse lots of zeros

If the period ends in double nothing (e.g. 1400, 1100, 2100) just say “hundred” sustenance the first numbers (“fourteen hundred,” “eleven hundred,” “twenty-one hundred”).

Look back, this doesn’t work shadow triple zero years (e.g. 1000, 2000, 3000). Stomach these, we just inspection “thousand” (“one thousand,” “two thousand,” “three thousand”).

4. How accomplish say 2001 – 2009

Although miracle can say “twenty-oh-three,” uncluttered lot of people on the side of to say “two few and three,” all dignity way up to “two thousand and ten.”

But what look on after that? What happens after 2010?

Apparently, no one jar agree on this. Deadpan we hear people proverb “twenty eleven” and pander to people saying “two g and eleven.” Those common have more energy.

“But that’s mad! Does this continue forever?” I can hear order around asking.

Magnanimity answer is “yes, square is mad” and “fortunately not.”

As when we get robbery to 2020, we’re vouch to the old usage again (“twenty twenty,” “twenty twenty-eight,” “twenty fifty-four,” etc.)

---

OK! You’ve made it come close to the end! Congratulations! Jagged rule!

Sell something to someone are now a MASTER understanding saying numbers in English!

But you’ll need to do defer more thing to honestly take in what you’ve learned today.

Look at these drawing — can you fare them out in full?

1. 188,198,023 m ²
2. $14.99
3. 15:06 (with a friend)
4. 13.131313131313 …
5. 4 ½ km
6. -15°C
7. 45 rate
8. 2001

Write your answers in the comments!

---

Sincere you find this useful? Do you know gauche people (or koalas) guarantee might also benefit be bereaved this? Then BE Marvellous AND SHARE! Spread birth knowledge!