Numbers in English : complete course

What Are Numbers in English?

Numbers in English are words we use to count, measure, and describe quantities. They are one of the first things you learn when you start speaking English. Knowing numbers helps you in everyday life: shopping, telling the time, giving your phone number, and much more.

Simple Examples to Get Started

• I have two cats.
• She is fifteen years old.
• The bus leaves at eight o’clock.
• This book costs twelve dollars.

As you can see, numbers appear in many common situations. Learning them is a great first step!

The Key Elements of Numbers in English

English numbers can be divided into several groups. Let’s look at the most important ones for beginners.

Cardinal Numbers: Counting Things

Cardinal numbers are the basic numbers we use to count. Here is a simple table to help you:

These are the numbers you use every day. For example: ‘I need three tickets, please.’

Ordinal Numbers: Talking About Order

Ordinal numbers tell us the position of something in a list or sequence. They answer the question ‘Which one?’

• 1st = first
• 2nd = second
• 3rd = third
• 4th = fourth
• 5th = fifth

Examples in sentences:

• ‘This is my first English class.’
• ‘She finished in second place.’
• ‘Today is the third of June.’

Big Numbers: Hundreds and Thousands

Once you know the basics, you can build bigger numbers easily.

• 100 = one hundred
• 200 = two hundred
• 1,000 = one thousand
• 1,000,000 = one million

Example: ‘There are five hundred students in this school.’

Why Numbers in English Really Matter

You use numbers every single day, even when you do not notice it. Here are some real situations where English numbers are essential:

• Shopping: ‘How much is this? It costs twenty dollars.’
• Travel: ‘My flight is at gate number twelve.’
• Dates and birthdays: ‘My birthday is on the fourth of July.’
• Phone numbers: ‘My number is zero seven, five, five, three…’
• Time: ‘The meeting starts at nine o’clock.’

Mastering numbers gives you confidence in real conversations. It is one of the most useful things you can learn as a beginner.

Comparison With Other Languages

If you speak French or Spanish, you will notice some similarities and some differences with English numbers. Here is a quick comparison:

One important difference: in English, you say ‘one hundred’, not just ‘hundred’. In French, you simply say ‘cent’. Also, English numbers above twenty follow a simple pattern: twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three… This is very regular and easy to learn!

In French, numbers like 70 (soixante-dix) and 80 (quatre-vingts) can be tricky. In English, it is simpler: 70 = seventy, 80 = eighty.

A Complete Example

Let’s look at a short real-life situation using English numbers:

You are in a coffee shop in London. You order for your group:

• ‘Hello! I would like three coffees and two teas, please.’
• ‘That will be twelve pounds fifty, please.’
• ‘Here is fifteen pounds.’
• ‘Your change is two pounds fifty. Thank you!’

In just a few sentences, you used five different numbers. This shows how quickly numbers become part of a real English conversation.

Key Points to Remember

• Cardinal numbers (one, two, three…) are used to count things.
• Ordinal numbers (first, second, third…) are used to describe order or position.
• English numbers are quite regular, especially compared to French.
• Numbers appear in almost every real-life situation: shopping, travel, dates, and time.
• Learning numbers from 1 to 20 is a great starting point. Then learn the tens: twenty, thirty, forty…
• Practice by counting objects around you in English every day!

Sources

• Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press.
• Eastwood, J. (2002). Oxford Guide to English Grammar. Oxford University Press.
• Council of Europe (2020). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Council of Europe Publishing.