Numbers

For Intermediate learners

Numbers help express quantity and sequence, forming the foundations of clear communication. In this lesson, you will learn to read and write numbers in English.

What are Numbers?

Numbers are symbols or words that represent quantities or values of things. Numbers are used for counting, measuring, and comparing things. We have two kinds of numbers in English: Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers.

Cardinal Numbers

Generally, when we want to count people, items, etc. we use cardinal numbers. Check out the following examples:

I have one puppy called Aco.

Sarah can afford to buy one pair of shoes, two jackets and one scarf.

Tip!

Usually, these cardinal numbers come before nouns.

Numbers Bigger Than Twenty

All numbers between twenty and one hundred are hyphenated. Take a look at the following examples:

There are thirty-six tables in this hall.

He wants to add sixty-five more guests.

Numbers Bigger Than One Hundred

When we want to state numbers above one hundred, we must use a hyphen between the words that come after 'and'. Look at the examples below:

There are one hundred and forty-nine people gathered in this corner.

My room number is one hundred and seventy-three.

Tip!

We can read 100 with both 'a' and 'one. Take a look:

A hundred = One Hundred

Ordinal Numbers

Just as their name suggests, ordinal numbers refer to the order of items, people, etc. in a list. Check out the following examples:

The first class will begin on Monday.

He's your second uncle.

Take a look at the following table to see how they are formed:

First	Nineth
Second	Tenth
Third	Twentieth
Fourth	Thirtieth
Fifth	Forty-first
Sixth	Fifty-second
Seventh	Sixty-third
Eighth	Seventy-fourth

Warning!

Please note that from 'fourth' onward, all numbers get a 'th' at the end.

Uses

We use these Ordinal numbers in different contexts. Some of them are below:

To Talk About Centuries
To Show Dates
To Indicate Roman numbers

Now, take a look at some examples below:

Edward the seventh was a former British King.

My birthday is on August the eighth.

In the nineteenth century, Gothic literature was the dominant literary genre for novel.

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What are Numbers?
- Numbers Bigger Than Twenty
- Numbers Bigger Than One Hundred
- Uses

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