10 Easy Steps to Writing Numbers in English

How To Write A Number In English

Mastering the artwork of expressing numbers in English is essential for efficient communication. Whether or not it is for on a regular basis conversations, formal shows, or written correspondence, realizing methods to precisely and clearly convey numerical info is important. The English language presents a wealthy and versatile system for representing numbers, starting from easy digits to advanced expressions. Understanding this technique will empower you to navigate the intricacies of quantity illustration, guaranteeing that your communication is exact and impactful.

One of many key features of writing numbers in English is using commas. Commas function placeholders, serving to to separate giant numbers into smaller, extra manageable models. This enhances readability and makes it simpler for the reader to grasp the magnitude of the quantity. As an example, as a substitute of writing “1234567890,” it’s extra acceptable to put in writing “1,234,567,890.” Moreover, commas are used when a quantity exceeds three digits and is adopted by a decimal level. For instance, the quantity 3.14159 could be written as “3,141.59” to enhance readability.

One other vital side of writing numbers in English is using phrases. Whereas digits are sometimes used for smaller numbers, phrases are employed for bigger numbers or when the quantity is the topic of a sentence. As an example, as a substitute of writing “25,” one would possibly write “twenty-five.” When utilizing phrases to specific numbers, it’s important to concentrate to the suitable type of the phrase. For instance, “one” must be used when the quantity is the topic of a sentence, whereas “a” or “an” must be used when the quantity is preceded by a noun. Moreover, numbers that finish in “teen” or are multiples of ten must be hyphenated when written in phrases (e.g., “13,” “thirty-two”).

Numbers as Digits

The digits used within the English language to symbolize numbers are:

Digit Quantity
0 zero
1 one
2 two
3 three
4 4
5 5
6 six
7 seven
8 eight
9 9

Writing the Number one

The #1 is a particular case, as it’s the solely quantity that has two totally different spellings. When used by itself, the #1 is spelled "one". Nonetheless, when used as half of a bigger quantity (e.g., 10, 11, 12), the #1 is spelled "one".

Moreover, the #1 may also be spelled "first" when utilized in ordinal type (e.g., first, second, third).

Examples

  • 100
  • One thousand
  • First place
  • Second place
  • Third place

Numbers as Phrases

In English, numbers could be written as phrases as a substitute of numerals. That is usually completed for numbers which might be small or which might be a part of a sentence.

Numbers One to Ten

Listed below are the numbers from one to 10 as phrases:

Quantity Phrase
1 one
2 two
3 three
4 4
5 5
6 six
7 seven
8 eight
9 9
10 ten

Numbers Eleven to Nineteen

The numbers from eleven to nineteen are shaped by combining the phrases for those digit and the phrase “teen”. For instance, eleven is written as “oneteen”, twelve is written as “twoteen”, and so forth.

Numbers Twenty to Ninety-9

The numbers from twenty to ninety-nine are shaped by combining the phrases for the tens digit and those digit. For instance, twenty-one is written as “twenty-one”, thirty-two is written as “thirty-two”, and so forth.

Written Quantity Format

### Numerals

English makes use of Hindu-Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, …, 9) to symbolize numbers in writing. These numerals are extensively utilized in arithmetic, science, and on a regular basis life. They’re additionally used to symbolize giant numbers, reminiscent of 1,000,000 (a million) or 1,000,000,000 (one billion).

### Phrases

Numbers may also be written out in phrases, particularly in non-technical contexts. For instance, the quantity 12 could be written as “twelve”, and the quantity 100 could be written as “100”. When writing out numbers in phrases, it is very important use the proper spelling and grammar. For instance, the quantity “5” is spelled with a “v”, and the quantity “ten” is spelled with an “e”.

### Hyphens

Hyphens are used to attach the phrases that make up a compound quantity. For instance, the quantity “twenty-one” is written with a hyphen, and the quantity “100 and one” can be written with a hyphen. Hyphens are usually not used to attach the phrases that make up a decimal quantity. For instance, the quantity “one level 5” is written with no hyphen.

| Quantity | Phrase |
|—|—|
| 0 | zero |
| 1 | one |
| 2 | two |
| 3 | three |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | six |
| 7 | seven |
| 8 | eight |
| 9 | 9 |
| 10 | ten |
| 11 | eleven |
| 12 | twelve |
| 13 | 13 |
| 14 | fourteen |
| 15 | fifteen |
| 16 | sixteen |
| 17 | seventeen |
| 18 | eighteen |
| 19 | nineteen |
| 20 | twenty |
| 30 | thirty |
| 40 | forty |
| 50 | fifty |
| 60 | sixty |
| 70 | seventy |
| 80 | eighty |
| 90 | ninety |
| 100 | 100 |
| 1,000 | one thousand |
| 1,000,000 | a million |
| 1,000,000,000 | one billion |

Ordinal and Cardinal Numbers

The quantity 4 is an important quantity in lots of cultures and languages worldwide. In English, the quantity 4 has numerous types relying on whether or not it’s used as an ordinal or a cardinal quantity.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used to symbolize portions and are sometimes utilized in counting or expressing quantities. In English, the cardinal quantity for 4 is “4.”

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are used to point place or order in a sequence. In English, the ordinal quantity for 4 is “fourth.”

Particular Makes use of of the Quantity 4

The quantity 4 has many particular makes use of and symbolic meanings in several contexts:

Contexts Symbolism or Which means
Tarot playing cards Stability, group, and grounding
Christianity The 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
Music Fourth interval in Western music concept
Science 4 basic forces in physics
Tradition Thought of a fortunate quantity in lots of Asian international locations

Hyphenated Numbers

There are a selection of situations the place numbers must be hyphenated. These embrace:

  1. Fractions
  2. Adjectives which might be shaped from numbers
  3. Ordinal numbers which might be tenth or better

Fractions

Fractions which might be lower than one ought to at all times be hyphenated, no matter whether or not the numerator incorporates one digit or extra. For instance, you’ll write “one-half” and “two-thirds”.

Adjectives That Are Shaped From Numbers

When a quantity is used to type an adjective, it must be hyphenated. For instance, “fifty-dollar invoice” and “two-year-old little one”.

Ordinal Numbers That Are Tenth or Higher

Ordinal numbers which might be tenth or better must be hyphenated. For instance, “tenth”, “eleventh”, “twelfth”, and so forth. Nonetheless, the numbers “first”, “second”, and “third” are usually not hyphenated.

The next desk gives a abstract of the foundations for hyphenating numbers:

Quantity Hyphenated
1/2 one-half
$50 fifty-dollar
2 years previous two-year-old
tenth tenth
eleventh eleventh
twelfth twelfth

Fractions

When writing a fraction, the numerator (high quantity) is written earlier than the denominator (backside quantity), separated by a slash (/). For instance, one-half is written as 1/2.

Fractions could be written in two methods: as a standard fraction or as a decimal.

A typical fraction is a fraction that’s written within the type of a/b, the place a is the numerator and b is the denominator.

A decimal is a fraction that’s written within the type of x.y, the place x is the entire quantity and y is the decimal half.

Decimals

Decimals are written with a decimal level (.) separating the entire quantity from the decimal half.

Rule 6: Writing Decimals

When writing a decimal, there are a couple of guidelines to observe:

  1. The decimal level should be positioned after the entire quantity and earlier than the decimal half.
  2. If the decimal half is lower than 1, then a 0 should be positioned earlier than the decimal level.
  3. If the decimal half is bigger than 1, then the decimal level should be positioned after the entire quantity and earlier than the primary digit of the decimal half.

The next desk reveals some examples of decimals and the way they’re written in English:

Decimal Written in English
0.5 Zero level 5
1.25 One level two 5
10.5 Ten level 5

Roman Numerals

Roman numerals are a system of numerical notation utilized in historic Rome. They’re primarily based on seven fundamental symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M.

The worth of a Roman numeral is decided by the next guidelines:

  1. The worth of a single image is the same as its face worth.
  2. The worth of a logo that’s repeated is the same as the face worth of the image multiplied by the variety of instances it’s repeated.
  3. The worth of a logo that’s adopted by a logo of better worth is the same as the distinction between the face values of the 2 symbols.

The quantity 7 in Roman numerals

The quantity 7 could be written in Roman numerals as VII. It’s because 7 is the sum of 5 and a pair of, that are represented by the symbols V and II, respectively.

The quantity 7 may also be written as VII, which is a extra widespread means of writing it.

Roman numeral Worth
VII 7
VII 7

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a means of writing numbers which might be very giant or very small in a concise and handy means. It’s utilized in many scientific and engineering functions.

A quantity written in scientific notation has two elements: a coefficient and an exponent.

The coefficient is a quantity between 1 and 10. The exponent is an integer that represents the variety of instances 10 is multiplied by itself to get the unique quantity.

For instance, the quantity 6.022 x 1023 is written in scientific notation. The coefficient is 6.022, and the exponent is 23. Because of this 6.022 x 1023 is the same as 6.022 multiplied by 10, 23 instances. In different phrases, it is the same as 602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Scientific notation can be utilized to put in writing very giant and really small numbers in a compact and easy-to-read means. For instance, the quantity 0.0000000000000000000000000000001 could be written as 1 x 10-24. Because of this 0.0000000000000000000000000000001 is the same as 1 multiplied by 10, -24 instances. In different phrases, it is the same as 0.0000000000000000000000000000001.

Instance

The quantity 8 could be written in scientific notation in a number of methods.

A method is to put in writing it as 8.000 x 100. Because of this 8 is multiplied by 10, 0 instances. In different phrases, it is the same as 8.

One other approach to write 8 in scientific notation is 8.000 x 10-1. Because of this 8 is multiplied by 10, -1 instances. In different phrases, it is the same as 0.8.

Lastly, 8 may also be written as 8.000 x 101. Because of this 8 is multiplied by 10, 1 instances. In different phrases, it is the same as 80.

The desk under reveals the other ways to put in writing 8 in scientific notation.

Coefficient Exponent Worth
8.000 0 8
8.000 -1 0.8
8.000 1 80

Cellphone Numbers

When writing out a cellphone quantity, embrace the world code, alternate, and line quantity. Separate every half with a hyphen or house. For instance, you possibly can write out a cellphone quantity as “555-123-4567” or “555 123 4567.” If you’re writing a cellphone quantity in a global format, embrace the nation code adopted by the world code, alternate, and line quantity. For instance, you possibly can write out a global cellphone quantity as “+1 555-123-4567.”

Dates

When writing out a date, embrace the month, day, and 12 months. Separate every half with a slash or hyphen. For instance, you possibly can write out a date as “12/31/2023” or “12-31-2023.” If you’re writing out a date in a global format, embrace the day, month, and 12 months. For instance, you possibly can write out a global date as “31/12/2023.”

The Quantity 9

The quantity 9 could be written in a wide range of methods, relying on the context. Typically, it’s written because the numeral “9”. Nonetheless, it may also be written out because the phrase “9”. In some circumstances, the quantity 9 could also be represented by the image “IX”.

Here’s a desk summarizing the other ways to put in writing the quantity 9:

Numeral Phrase Image
9 9 IX

When writing out the quantity 9 in a sentence, it is very important use the proper type. For instance, you’ll write “There are 9 apples within the basket” moderately than “There are 9 apples within the basket.”

Grammatical Concerns

When writing numbers in English, there are specific grammatical issues to bear in mind.

10

The quantity 10 is a particular case relating to writing in English. It’s the solely two-digit quantity that’s written as one phrase, “ten”. Consequently, the grammatical issues for “10” are considerably totally different than these for different numbers.

Generally, “10” is a singular noun. Because of this it takes a singular verb, reminiscent of “is” or “was”. For instance:

Incorrect Appropriate
Ten apples are on the desk. Ten apples is on the desk.

Nonetheless, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, when “10” is utilized in a collective sense, it could take a plural verb. For instance:

Incorrect Appropriate
The ten of us are going to the park. The ten of us goes to the park.

Moreover, when “10” is used as a fraction, it could take a plural verb. For instance:

Incorrect Appropriate
One-tenth of the pie is left. One-tenth of the pie are left.

Tips on how to Write a Quantity in English

Writing numbers in English could be complicated, particularly for non-native audio system. There are totally different guidelines for writing numbers relying on their measurement and context. This information will offer you the fundamental guidelines for writing numbers in English.

Basic Guidelines:

  • Numbers from one to 9 are written as phrases.
  • Numbers from ten to nineteen are written as one phrase.
  • Numbers from twenty to ninety-nine are written as two phrases.
  • Numbers from 100 to 9 hundred ninety-nine are written as three phrases.
  • Numbers from one thousand to 9 hundred ninety-nine thousand are written as three phrases, with the phrase “thousand” added on the finish.
  • Numbers from a million to 9 hundred ninety-nine million are written as three phrases, with the phrase “million” added on the finish.

Exceptions:

  • The quantity “zero” is at all times written as a phrase.
  • The numbers “eleven” and “twelve” are written as one phrase.
  • Numbers that finish in “-teen” (e.g., 13, fourteen) are written as one phrase.

Folks Additionally Ask

How do I write a big quantity in English?

To write down a big quantity in English, you should utilize the next format:

  • Write the quantity in digits.
  • Add a comma after each three digits.
  • Finish the quantity with the suitable phrase (e.g., thousand, million, billion).

How do I write a decimal quantity in English?

To write down a decimal quantity in English, you should utilize the next format:

  • Write the quantity as a complete quantity.
  • Add a decimal level.
  • Write the decimal a part of the quantity as a fraction.

How do I write a fraction in English?

To write down a fraction in English, you should utilize the next format:

  • Write the numerator as a cardinal quantity.
  • Add the phrase “over”.
  • Write the denominator as a cardinal quantity.