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Types of Numbers in English Grammar

This document discusses the three common types of English numbers: cardinal, ordinal, and nominal. It provides examples of how each type is used and lists the cardinal and ordinal numbers from 1 to 100. Rules for writing numbers are also outlined, such as spelling out numbers less than 10 and using numerals for measurements, recipes, and time. Exercises are included for writing numbers in words, completing sentences with ordinal numbers, answering questions with full number words, and correcting mistakes in sample sentences.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
104 views6 pages

Types of Numbers in English Grammar

This document discusses the three common types of English numbers: cardinal, ordinal, and nominal. It provides examples of how each type is used and lists the cardinal and ordinal numbers from 1 to 100. Rules for writing numbers are also outlined, such as spelling out numbers less than 10 and using numerals for measurements, recipes, and time. Exercises are included for writing numbers in words, completing sentences with ordinal numbers, answering questions with full number words, and correcting mistakes in sample sentences.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

There are three common types of 

English numbers:

1. cardinal (showing quantity)

2. ordinal (showing order)

3. nominal (showing identity)

English Ordinal
Cardinal Ordinal
Number Abbreviations
1 one first 1st
2 two second 2nd
3 three third 3rd
4 four fourth 4th
5 five fifth 5th
6 six sixth 6th
7 seven seventh 7th
8 eight eighth 8th
9 nine ninth 9th
10 ten tenth 10th
11 eleven eleventh 11th
12 twelve twelfth 12th
13 thirteen thirteenth 13th
14 fourteen fourteenth 14th
15 fifteen fifteenth 15th
16 sixteen sixteenth 16th
17 seventeen seventeenth 17th
18 eighteen eighteenth 18th
19 nineteen nineteenth 19th
20 twenty twentieth 20th
22 twenty-two twenty-second 22nd
25 twenty-five twenty-fifth 25th
30 thirty thirtieth 30th
40 forty fortieth 40th
50 fifty fiftieth 50th
60 sixty sixtieth 60th
70 seventy seventieth 70th
80 eighty eightieth 80th
90 ninety ninetieth 90th
100 one hundred one hundredth 100th
one hundred one hundred
125 125th
twenty-five twenty-fifth

1. Cardinal numbers 
Cardinal numbers are also known as "counting numbers" and are used to count
things. Cardinal numbers tell us "how many."

Examples:

 We have two dogs.
 I have $15.00.
 There are 12 birds.
 He is six years old today.

2. Ordinal numbers
Ordinal numbers are used to tell the order of things. They tell us level or position
in a group.

Examples:

 I am third in line.
 That was your fifth cookie!
 Happy 50th birthday!
 First, combine eggs, sugar, flour, and salt.
 He finished first in the race!

3. Nominal numbers

Nominal numbers are used to name and identify things. Nominal numbers can


be single or grouped numbers.

Nominal numbers include:

 social security numbers


 bank account numbers
 driver's license numbers
 employee and student identification numbers
 zip codes

(Las Vegas, NV 89101)


 telephone numbers

(1-800-562-0025)
 numbers of a train or bus route

(Take route 105 to get to the grocery store.)


 player numbers

(Number 40 has the ball!)

Cardinal and Ordinal English numbers can be used as determiners to help


identify nouns. They tell (determine) how much or which one.

Examples of numbers as determiners:

 We invited fifty people to our wedding.


 Jenny got first place at the art contest.
 Add 1 egg to the cookie batter.

Rules for writing numbers


1. When to spell out numbers
A) Spell out numbers less than 10.
 one
 two
 five
 15
 16
 150
B) Don't begin a sentence with a numeral. Spell it out.
 Incorrect: 15 children were at the concert.
 Correct: Fifteen children were at the concert.
D) Spell out numbers in most formal writing.
E) Spell out numbers when writing time with "o'clock."
 Incorrect: School starts at 8 o'clock each day.
 Correct: School starts at eight o'clock each day.

2. When to use numerals in writing


A) Use numerals with a set of numbers or nominal numbers.
 Players 10, 15, and 45 have fouled out of the game.
 My city's zip code is 89520.

B) Use numerals with fractions and percents in tables, mathematics, and


science.
 25%
 100%
 2/3
 5 1/2

*We usually spell out "percent" in formal writing.


 25 percent
 100 percent

C) Use numerals for measurements.


 The tree is 10 feet 6 inches tall.
 The tree is 10' 6" tall.

D) Use numeral for recipes.


 2 cups water
 3 eggs
 4 tablespoons sugar

E) Most advertisements use numerals.

F) Use numerals with time written with a.m. and p.m.


 School starts at 8:00 a.m.
 The bus will arrive at 9:10 p.m.

G) Internet, newspaper, and magazine headlines and articles usually use


numerals.
Numbers stand out in writing if they are written as numerals.
 Correct: The club raised $100 for charity!
 Incorrect: The club raised one-hundred dollars for charity!

Newspapers and magazines usually use numerals to save space and to allow


readers to easily scan for facts.
Ex.1. Write the answers to these sums in words:
Example: £4.99 + £9.50 = fourteen pounds forty nine pence
1. £2.85 + £3.95 = ________________________________
2. £17.69 + £4.80 = ________________________________
3. £2.99 x 3 = ________________________________
4. £4.50 x 4 = ________________________________
5. £35 + £2.99 + £4.99 = ________________________________
6. 80p - 55p = ________________________________
7. £7.95 + £18.50 = ________________________________
8. £1.50 - 23p = ________________________________
9. 95p + £10.48 = ________________________________
10. £110.99 + £12.99 + £4.99 = ________________________________
11. 89p - 22p = ________________________________
12. 68p + £2.89 - £2.50 = ________________________________

Ex.2. Complete the sentences using one of these ordinals:

first second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth eleventh twelfth

1. October is the ________________ month of the year.


2. January is the ________________ month of the year.
3. April is the ________________ month of the year.
4. March is the ________________ month of the year.
5. September is the ________________ month of the year.
6. June is the ________________ month of the year.
7. May is the ________________ month of the year.
8. February is the ________________ month of the year.
9. December is the ________________ month of the year.
10. July is the ________________ month of the year.
11. November is the ________________ month of the year.
12. August is the ________________ month of the year.

Ex.3. Answer the questions. Write the numbers in full.


1. How many minutes are there in two hours? 2. How many kilometers are there in
a mile? 3. What is your normal temperature? 4. How much do you weigh? 5. How
many cents are there in $2,5? 6. How many days are there in a year? 7. When were
you born? 8. What is your telephone number? 9. What is the number of your flat?

Ex.4. Correct the mistakes (if any) in these sentences.


1 The radio said that there were more than ten thousands people taking part in the
meeting. 2. She bought two dozens eggs. 3. My birthday is on the twenty-one of
March. 4. His telephone number is four six seven, five nought, nine two. 5. There
are two hundred fifteen pages in this book. 6, Write down the following: zero point
six hundred and twelve plus six point nought two. 7. This is twenty-five per cents
of the total. 8. The game ended with the score three nought. 9. The temperature is
two degrees below oh. 10. He was born in nineteen eighty-first.

Common questions

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In a formal document's main text, numbers less than 10 should generally be spelled out, such as 'three payments' for readability and formality . Larger numbers or those beginning sentences should be spelled out to maintain professional tone, like 'Ninety-eight dollars' . For accompanying tables, numerals are preferable to ensure clarity and brevity, such as '25%' in a financial percentage column, due to space efficiency and scanability which are ideal for tabular data representation . This avoids clutter and makes the table more reader-friendly.

Numerals should be used in sets of numbers or for nominal numbers, including for player numbers and zip codes, such as 'Players 10, 15, and 45' . Additionally, numerals are preferred in tables, mathematics, and science for fractions and percentages, like '25%' or '5 1/2' . For measurements, recipes, and times written with a.m. or p.m., numerals are used, e.g., '2 cups water' and 'School starts at 8:00 a.m.' . Advertisements and media often use numerals for easy readability, exemplified by '$100 for charity' . In contrast, formal writing often spells out numbers, especially those less than 10 or at the start of a sentence .

An ordinal number in a headline is more appropriate when the aim is to convey a sense of sequence or ranking, such as in competition results or event sequences. For instance, 'Local Runner Wins First in Marathon' provides clear order positioning that a cardinal number (e.g., 'one') would not convey adequately . The immediacy of recognizing a position in a series is critical for quickly understanding a headline’s significance, especially in events where rank matters to the narrative. Use of ordinal numbers satisfies both clarity and the need for information immediacy in such contexts.

Cultural and regional variations can significantly affect both expression and perception of cardinal and ordinal numbers. In some English-speaking regions, ordinal numbers in addresses or dates may be treated differently, like the British '21st March' versus the American 'March 21st,' reflecting varying ordinal usage in date formats . Additionally, cardinal numbers in monetary context may reflect different currency expressions, impacting verbal interpretation (e.g., '2,000' dollars in the U.S., versus '2,000' pounds in the U.K.). These differences could lead to misunderstandings or communication challenges in interregional interactions if not addressed, given that cardinal and ordinal numbers are foundational in everyday descriptions and transactions.

Cardinal numbers, also known as counting numbers, are used to count things and tell us 'how many.' For example, 'We have two dogs' and 'I have $15.00' . Ordinal numbers denote the order of things, indicating position or level within a series, such as 'I am third in line' and 'He finished first in the race' . Nominal numbers are used for identification rather than counting or ordering, like social security numbers, zip codes, or telephone numbers for example, 'Las Vegas, NV 89101' or '1-800-562-0025' .

One creative approach to teach children could be a shopping-oriented game. Children play as both cashier and customers. As customers, they select items labeled with cardinal numbers, like '6 apples' or '12 cookies,' practicing quantity recognition . As cashiers, they arrange items in order customers arrive, using ordinal numbers like 'first' or 'third' in line. To incorporate nominal numbers, assign each child a 'customer ID number' and telephone-style 'checkout station numbers.' This immersive scenario not only differentiates number types but also contextualizes their usage, making learning intuitive and engaging.

In English, numbers less than 10 are typically spelled out, such as 'one' or 'three,' and numbers should not commence a sentence in numeral form . Moreover, time is spelled out with 'o'clock' to maintain formality, as in 'eight o'clock' instead of '8 o'clock' . Violating these rules can lead to potential clarity issues, particularly in formal contexts; starting a sentence with a numeral might confuse the intended message and appear less polished, thus impacting the perceived professionalism and readability of the text.

The statement is inaccurate as cardinal numbers are more frequently used in everyday communication since they express quantities, a common need in daily interactions, such as 'We have two dogs' and 'There are 12 birds' . Ordinal numbers, indicating order or position, are used less commonly unless one needs to specify sequence or rank, like 'That was your fifth cookie!' . Everyday activities such as shopping, describing age, or counting objects predominantly require cardinal numbers, thus making them more routinely used than ordinal ones.

Nominal numbers uniquely function as identifiers rather than quantities (cardinal) or positional (ordinal) indicators. For example, in a postal address, 'Las Vegas, NV 89101' uses the ZIP code as a nominal number for location identification, not quantity or order . Similarly, a telephone number like '1-800-562-0025' identifies a line rather than denoting how many lines exist. In contrast, cardinal numbers such as '12 birds' communicate a count, and ordinal numbers like 'third in line' convey position . Thus, nominal numbers are used for categorization or labeling rather than counting or ordering.

Zero and nominal numbers in technical contexts primarily serve identification and precision. For instance, a ZIP code like '89052' or a barcode number, as nominal numbers, provide specific, unambiguous identifiers and are crucial for tasks like logistics tracking or systematized product sorting . Zero, as a nominal digit, often appears in model numbers or product codes to ensure completeness of a sequence or category (e.g., 'Model 1000'). Contrastingly, in everyday discourse, numbers primarily serve quantitative purposes (cardinal) such as counting objects or persons (e.g., '10 apples'). Hence, in technical fields, these numbers transcend normal counting to become identifiers integral to systematic, error-free operations.

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