4.1 Introduction
Numbers, dates, and time expressions are essential in everyday communication. Whether you’re talking about prices, scheduling meetings, or giving your age, knowing how to use numbers and time correctly in English is crucial.
In this chapter, you will learn:
✔️ How to correctly use cardinal and ordinal numbers.
✔️ How to say and write dates properly.
✔️ How to tell time and use time expressions in daily life.
4.2 Understanding Numbers
Numbers are divided into two main categories:
- Cardinal Numbers – Used for counting (e.g., one, two, three).
- Ordinal Numbers – Used for positions and dates (e.g., first, second, third).
4.2.1 Cardinal Numbers (Counting Numbers)
| Number | Spelling | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One | I have one brother. |
| 2 | Two | She bought two apples. |
| 3 | Three | He has three books. |
| 10 | Ten | There are ten students in the room. |
| 50 | Fifty | The ticket costs fifty dollars. |
| 100 | One hundred | I read one hundred pages. |
✔ Tip: Large numbers are usually grouped with commas: 1,000 (one thousand), 10,000 (ten thousand), 1,000,000 (one million).
4.2.2 Ordinal Numbers (Position and Dates)
| Number | Spelling | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | First | She won first prize. |
| 2nd | Second | This is my second attempt. |
| 3rd | Third | He lives on the third floor. |
| 10th | Tenth | Today is the tenth of July. |
| 21st | Twenty-first | Her birthday is on the twenty-first of March. |
✔ Tip: When writing dates, use ordinal numbers: “July 4th” or “the 4th of July.”
4.3 Saying and Writing Dates
Dates are written and spoken in different ways in British English and American English.
4.3.1 How to Say Dates
✅ British English: “The twenty-fifth of December, twenty twenty-three.”
✅ American English: “December twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-three.”
4.3.2 How to Write Dates
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| DD/MM/YYYY (British English) | 25/12/2023 (25th December 2023) |
| MM/DD/YYYY (American English) | 12/25/2023 (December 25th, 2023) |
✔ Common Phrases with Dates:
- When is your birthday? → My birthday is on the 10th of June.
- What is today’s date? → Today is August 14th.
- When did the event happen? → It happened on July 4th, 1776.
4.4 Telling the Time in English
There are two ways to tell time in English:
- Digital time format (e.g., 4:30, 10:45)
- Traditional time format (e.g., half past four, quarter to eleven)
4.4.1 Reading the Clock
| Time | Digital Format | Traditional Format |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 | Six o’clock | Six o’clock |
| 6:15 | Six fifteen | Quarter past six |
| 6:30 | Six thirty | Half past six |
| 6:45 | Six forty-five | Quarter to seven |
| 7:00 | Seven o’clock | Seven o’clock |
✔ Tip:
- Use “past” for times after the hour (e.g., 3:10 = “ten past three”).
- Use “to” for times before the hour (e.g., 3:50 = “ten to four”).
4.4.2 Asking and Telling Time
- What time is it? → It’s four-thirty (4:30).
- Do you have the time? → Yes, it’s quarter to nine (8:45).
- When does the train leave? → It leaves at 5:15 PM.
4.5 Time Expressions in English
Time expressions help in understanding when an action happens.
4.5.1 Daily Time Expressions
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| In the morning | I go jogging in the morning. |
| In the afternoon | We have lunch in the afternoon. |
| In the evening | She studies in the evening. |
| At night | They sleep at night. |
4.5.2 Talking About Days and Weeks
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| Today | Today is Monday. |
| Yesterday | I went shopping yesterday. |
| Tomorrow | I will visit my friend tomorrow. |
| Last week | She traveled last week. |
| Next month | We are moving next month. |
4.5.3 Using Time Prepositions (At, On, In)
| Preposition | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| At | Specific time | The train arrives at 10 AM. |
| On | Days & dates | I was born on Monday. |
| In | Months, years, long periods | He was born in 2000. |
4.6 Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- I was born ___ 1995. (in/on)
- The meeting starts ___ 3:00 PM. (at/on)
- We are going on vacation ___ August. (in/at)
- The event is scheduled ___ the 15th of September. (on/in)
Exercise 2: Speaking Practice
Practice asking and answering these questions with a partner:
- What’s today’s date?
- What time do you usually wake up?
- When is your birthday?
- Can you tell me the time, please?
Exercise 3: Writing Practice
Write 5 sentences using ordinal numbers, 5 sentences with dates, and 5 sentences with time expressions.
4.7 Summary of Key Points
✅ Numbers are divided into cardinal (counting) and ordinal (position) numbers.
✅ Dates are written in different formats in British and American English.
✅ Time can be told in digital or traditional formats.
✅ Prepositions (at, on, in) help specify time and dates correctly.