Owen Colin
Learning how to say numbers in English is an essential skill for effective communication. Whether you’re traveling to an English-speaking country, handling financial transactions, or simply engaging in conversations, being able to express numbers accurately is crucial. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of saying numbers in English, providing numerous tips and examples along the way.
Formal Ways of Saying Numbers
When it comes to formal settings, such as business meetings, presentations, or official documents, it’s important to follow certain conventions for saying numbers in English. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- Use numerical figures for numbers 10 and above, unless they are the first word in a sentence.
- For numbers one to nine, spell them out.
- When expressing large numbers, use commas to separate thousands, millions, billions, etc.
- Use “and” before the last two digits of a whole number.
- When saying decimal numbers, use “point” to separate the whole number from the decimal fraction.
Now, let’s put these rules into practice with a few examples:
Our company achieved a revenue of $2,356,789 last year.
The report highlights a decrease of twenty-four percent in sales.
Please transfer ten thousand dollars to the designated account.
Her contact number is 555-9876.
The temperature outside is currently minus two degrees.
The stock market index rose by 5.25 points.
Informal Ways of Saying Numbers
Informal conversations allow for a more relaxed approach to expressing numbers. While the formal rules still apply in many cases, there is often more flexibility when it comes to speaking numbers in informal settings. Here are some tips to help you navigate:
- Numbers can be pronounced exactly as they are, without the need to convert them to words.
- Digit grouping (the use of commas) is often less important in informal speech.
- Expressions like “a couple of,” “a few,” or “a handful of” can be used for approximate quantities.
- Informal speech may involve using contractions for certain numbers, like “won’t” for “will not”.
Let’s see these tips in action:
I have 3 cats and 2 dogs.
Can I borrow $50 until next week?
We waited for about 15 minutes.
She’s been working here for seven or eight years now.
Grab a few pens from the drawer.
Regional Variations
English is a language with numerous regional dialects, and there can be slight variations in how numbers are pronounced. However, the formal and informal rules discussed so far should work across different English-speaking regions. Still, here are a few examples of regional variations you might encounter:
- In British English, “and” is often omitted before the last two digits of a whole number, e.g., “one hundred twenty-three” instead of “one hundred and twenty-three”.
- In some American dialects, the word “a” is used instead of “one” when stating a whole number, e.g., “a hundred” instead of “one hundred”.
- In certain Australian accents, “th” sounds at the end of ordinal numbers might be pronounced as “f”, e.g., “fourth” as “forf”.
Remember, these regional variations are not absolute, and most English speakers will understand both formal and informal ways of saying numbers, regardless of their dialect.
With this comprehensive guide, you are well-equipped to confidently express numbers in English. Whether you find yourself in formal or informal situations, knowing how to say numbers accurately will contribute to effective communication. Practice these rules, pay attention to context, and soon you’ll be effortlessly navigating the world of English numbers.
