Tatata

Numbers

When expressing large numbers (more than one hundred) read in groups of hundreds. The order is as follows: billion, million, thousand, hundred. Notice that hundred, thousand, etc. is NOT followed by an ‘s’.

Two hundred NOT two hundreds

NOTE: British English takes 'and' between 'hundred and ...' American English omits 'and'. In the examples below, this is represented: (AND)Hundreds

350 – three hundred (AND) fifty 425 – four hundred (AND) twenty five

Thousands

15,560 – fifteen thousand five hundred (AND) sixty 786,450 – seven hundred (AND) six thousand four hundred (AND) fifty

Millions

2,450,000 – two million four hundred (AND) fifty thousands 234,700,000 – two hundred (AND) thirty-four million seven hundred thousand

Speaking About Numbers

Numbersare read in the following manner in English:

million, thousand, hundred

Example:

2,350,400 => two million three hundred (AND) fifty thousand four hundred

NOTE - Remember: Use ‘and’ only between hundreds in British English. American English leaves the ‘and’ out.

Decimals

Read decimals as the given number point XYZ

2.36=>two point three six

Percentages

Read percentages asthe number followed by ‘percent’

37%=>thirty seven percent

Fractions

Read the top number as a cardinal number, followed by the ordinal number + ‘s’

3/8=>three eighths

NOTE: ¼ =>one quarter, 2/3 => two thirds, ½ one half

Expressions

Here are the descriptive names of a number of important numerical expressions:

Speed 100 mph (miles per hour)
Weight 80 kg (kilograms) OR 42 lbs(pounds)
telephone number 0171 895 7056
decimal .087
date 12/04/65
percentage 75%
temperature 28° C (celsius) OR 72° F (fahrenheit)
height 1 m 89 cm
price $60
fraction 8/13
score 2-1

British English

In British English the day is usually put before the month. If you wish, you can add the ending of the ordinal number. The preposition of before the month is usually dropped. You canput a comma before the year, but this is not common anymore in British English.

Example: 5(th) (of) October(,) 2004

American English

In American English the month is usually put before the day. If you wish, you can put the definite article before the day. It is common to write a comma before the year.

Example: October (the) 5(th), 2004

You can also write the date by using numbersonly. The most common forms are:

Example: 5/10/04 or 5-10-04

From 2000 onwards, years are pronounced like ordinary cardinal numbers.

2000 - two thousand
2003 - two thousand and three

Earlier years are pronounced differently: the first two figures are a number and the last two figures are a number. They can be joined by hundred and, which is only necessary, however, if the lasttwo figures are 00 through 09.

1999 - nineteen (hundred and) ninety-nine
1806 - eighteen hundred and six / eighteen oh six

If you want to give the year without an exact date, use the preposition in:

I was born in 1972.

To distinguish between dates before and after the birth of Christ, use BC und AD:

BC = 'Before Christ'
AD = 'Anno Domini' (in the year of the Lord)

|WholeNumbers also known as Cardinal Numbers - used for counting |
|Symbol |Word | |
|0 |Nought/zero/ oh/love | |
|1|One | |
|2 |Two | |
|3 |Three | |...