20b.
NUMERALS
They are usually used like determiners with a following noun but can also occur as heads of noun
phrases. (Four of them were arrested.) In linguistics, the terms representing numbers can be
classified according to their use.
Ranking numerals describe order based on relevance or importance (primary, secondary, tertiary)
Composite numerals describe composition (unary, binary, ternary)
Reproductive numerals describe replication (single, double, triple) or multiplation (once, twice and
thrice)
Collective numerals describe groups composed of several individual entities (pair, triad, dozen)
Cardinal numerals
They describe quantity. Number 13–19 have suffix -teen and 20–90 –ty. Numerals in word form
between 21 and 99 are hyphenated (twenty-one, eighty-six). In measurements containing two
different units and is possible before the smaller but is usually left out. (Two hours (and) ten minutes.
Two metres (and) thirty centimetres.)
In writing we generally use commas (,) to divide large numbers into groups of three figures, by
separating off the thousands and millions. 3,127 / 5,466,243 But we do not use commas in dates.
The spelling shift in numbers (four'teen, 'forty). Also the pronunciation and spelling changes in five
/ai/ fif'teen /I/ 'fifty /I/ The figure 0 is usually called nought in British English, and zero in
American English. When we say numbers one figure at a time, 0 is often called oh.
Ordinal numerals
They describe position in a sequential order, in these terms next and last may also be considered a
kind of ordinals. Ordinal numerals for 1 to 3 are unsystematic: first, second, third. The rest are
formed by adding –th to the cardinal numerals (but note the change in five – fifth). Cardinal numerals
ending in –y change to –ieth. Ordinals are also hyphenated (twenty-second).
Ordinals mainly function is of adjectives therefore there is a definite article before them. (the third
movement). Names of kings and queens are said with ordinal numbers. (Elizabeth II, Elizabeth the
Second) We can say a hundred or one hundred, a thousand or one thousand, a million, or one
million. One is more formal. (I want to life for a hundred years.)
Dates
1
The commonest way to write dates is 30 March 1995. Some people write a comma before the year,
but this is no longer very common in Britain. The last two letters of the number word (st, nd, rd or th)
are sometimes added. In the USA it is common to write the month first and to put a comma before
the year (March 30, 1995).
The date may be written entirely in figures (30/3/95) and this is different in Britain and America
where in Britain the day comes first but in America the date generally starts with the month. Names
of decades can be written like this: the 1960s. In speaking: 30 March 1993 – March the thirtieth,
nineteen ninety-three. To distinguish between dates before and after the birth of Christ, we use the
abbreviations BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini – Latin for in the year of the Lord). BC follows
the date, AD can come before or after it.
Fractions and decimals
Simple fractions: 1/8 (one eighth), 3/7 (three sevens), 2/5 (two fifths), 11/16 (eleven sixteenths).
More complex fractions: 317/509 – three hundred and seventeen over five hundred and nine. With
fractions below 1, we normally use of a + singular noun. Over 1 normally a plural noun.
Decimals
0.375 – nought point three seven five (US: zero point three seven five). The same structure is
common with decimals below 1 (three quarters of a ton). With decimals below 1, we normally use of
a + singular noun. Over 1 normally a plural noun.
Arithmetical operations
Addition 2+2=4 Two and two is/are four. (informal) Two plus two equals four. (formal)
Subtraction 7–4=3 Four from seven is/leaves three. (informal) Seven minus four equals/is
three. (formal)
Multiplication 3 x 4 = 12 Three times four is twelve. (informal) Three multiplied by four equals/is
twelve. (formal)
Division 9 : 3 = 3 Three(s) into nine goes three (times). (informal) Nine divided by three
equals/is three. (formal)
Exponentiation 4² - four squared (4 = the base, ² = the exponent) 7³ - seven cubed
