How to write numbers in English: 6 common mistakes

TRANSCRIPT

Hi there. My name is Emma, and today we are going to look at common mistakes that ESL students make when they're talking about numbers. Okay? So in this video, we will look at five different mistakes I hear my students make often and ways to correct these mistakes. So let's get started.

First we're going to look at pronunciation, the pronunciation of numbers. Okay, so the first mistake I hear often is when students are talking about time -- or things in general, but often with time -- they're talking about the month, the week, the night, the year, the day; they often forget to pronounce the "s" or they pronounce an "s" when they shouldn't. So what do I mean by this? Well, first I have "one month", "two months". So notice in this case: there's no "s" so I don't pronounce an "s". In this case there is an "s" so I do pronounce an "s". So even though it's a pretty simple rule, a lot of people when they speak, they don't do this. I hear students say all the time: "I've been here for one years." Or "I lived there for five year." Okay? So be very careful when you say numbers, make sure that the noun that comes after, if there's more than one: you need an "s" and it's pronounced, the "s" is pronounced.

So what I'd like to do is I'm going to read to you five sentences and I want you to hear if I'm pronouncing the "s" or not. Okay? Oh, and one other thing I should say. So sometimes "s" are pronounced as "s'" like "sss", other times they're pronounced like "zzz" like a "z". So for month: "months", it's pronounced like "sss" like a snake. Week: "weeks". Night:
"nights". Okay? Whereas "year" and "day", when we add an "s", the "s" is pronounced like a "z". "Years", "days". Okay? So keep that in mind.

Okay, so the first sentence. Listen carefully to see if I pronounce the "s" after the number or not. "I've been here for one years." Is that a correct sentence? No, it's not because I said "one", it should have been: "I've been here for one year."

Okay, number two: "Four day ago I saw my aunt." So what's wrong with this? Is there anything wrong? "Four day ago I saw my aunt." It should be: "Four days ago". There're four of them so they need to be plural, so you need to pronounce the "s".

Next one: "I've worked for two months." Is there a problem with that? "I've worked for two months." No, that sentence is okay. I pronounced the "s" because there were two months.

Okay, number four: "I must study for five month." "I must study for five month." Did you hear an "s"? So that one was incorrect. It should be: "I must study for five months."

Last one: "I went to Cuba for one weeks." What's the problem with this sentence? I pronounced an "s" after "week", but because there's only one, it shouldn't be "one weeks", it should be "one week". Okay? So I know this is a simple pronunciation rule, but it's something that it's very important to be careful with. So even if you have to practice at home: "One year, one year, one year. Two years, two years, two years." Keep repeating it until it becomes easy and you don't make that mistake. Okay.

So what's our next pronunciation mistake? Well this is sort of a funny one. A lot of ESL students, when they mean "Thirteen (13)" they say "Thirty (30)" and vice versa. So I'll ask a student: how many years did they go to university? Or not university, that would be a bad example. How many years of schooling did they have? And I'll hear "Thirty (30)" when what they really mean to say is "Thirteen (13)". Okay? And this is very common when it comes to money. Students, you know,
they'll hear the sum they have to pay incorrectly or they'll say something costs "Thirty (30)" when it really costs "Thirteen (13)" and vice versa. Same with when you give out your phone number, this could be a real problem -- or your address. So how do I pronounce "thirteen (13)" versus "thirty (30)"? Well the easiest thing to do -- and this goes for all the teen numbers so 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, it also goes for 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 -- it's important to be aware of stress. So what do I mean by stress? Well, when we stress something, we say it louder and longer. So when you say the number "thirteen", the stress should be on "teen". So I should say: "thir-TEEN." It's very clear if I say "teen" longer and louder. Same with "sevenTEEN", longer and louder. So the stress, again, is on "teen", that's what you say louder and longer.

[MetalDetectingRussia]

Emma, thank you! I noticed that your videos are longer than 8-10 minutes. You want to explain more to your students so they understand. You really want to teach people. Thank you so much!

[hungphmngoc]

Although I have been studying English for a very long time (mainly self-study), but I still don't know how to use numbers correctly all the time. And this is the first time I have seen your video lesson and it's very useful for me to correct myself and I think I could be confidence to use it correctly! Such an excellent lesson! Thank you so much, teacher Emma.

[ConstructionKids]

Recently, I noticed half of my channel subscribers are outside Japan, so I will watch more your videos. Thanks for your helpful videos.

[juanjosemena]

Hi Emma! I used your lessons to improve my english and to have a better mark in academic IELST . I must congrat you because I needed a band six to be awarded with a Erasmus Mundus scholarship. I got this mark and I was accepted. Thank you very much. Your lessons are convivial and you are a good transmitter of information. I trust you. Take care. Be happy. Kisses.

[sergeyarhipov]

Thank you very much for your lessons, Emma! Although I've been learning English for years, I hadn't even guessed about a correct writing "-s" with digits before I watched this video. I've just discovered a lot of new rules I didn't know.

[rhtdhiman]

This video is really helpfully I was confused many of times whether I use 's' or not....now I'm really sure where I should use it very thankful to you .I love to see your videos Thank you....

[gurumbam]

Oh my god, I hadn't thought in these mistakes about numbers. I think I can learn something new every day.
Thank you so much!

[rolax]

Very helpful video, excellent teacher! 
Hey everyone! I've been studying English for two years now. First I started as an ESL student, now I'm taking English 101. I’m an everyday learner; I spend my free time reading and watching videos, tutorials, or anything that helps me to improve my English.  As a non-native speaker (an if you’re learning English) I’d like to share something that really helped me to understand the English language. I took a class in college called English idioms that changed my life. In this class you’ll learn the meaning of phrases such as “it’s raining cats and dogs”, “I’m feeling blue”, or “piece of cake”; nevertheless, I realized that I will never stop learning idioms. A year later I’m still “WORKING ON” idioms, so I’d love to have Emma explaining some Idioms on a video. Would you please Emma? Thank you so much!

[hebergonzalez]

Hi Emma, I really love your videos. The topics that you use are very useful in real life. Thank you very much. Regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[elbouyousfirabia]

Thanks a bunch .Very clear and instructive.

[mgoo]

I understand what you teach. Thank u so much.

[pilgrimshodl]

Thank you very much for your time and sharing your knowledge. It was very useful for me!!!

[SpeakWritePlayinEnglish]

Good lesson! Learning about numbers is so useful because we use them every day in conversations.

[hipolitovelasquezperez]

Thank you, Emma. Congratulations you are one of the best teachers.

[Humanjust]

Emma, you are a marvelous instructor and coach, l do love the way you are teaching .

[DUSHYANTSINGH]

i love the way you teach and your grip on English grammar . please provided quite examples but please write on white board that example what you are saying.

[awdalysaleh]

Thank you so so much, for your inspired and appreciation .

[van]

The Cat lesson is awesome! Thank you so much.

[magdyyounes]

Although this is an eight_ year old vedio, you have been marvelous, easy and clear teacher over the years . Now, we can write out numbers correctly thanks to your explanation.

[slashorysk]

Wow, it's very useful & important for ENGLISH learners, I knew about it at moment
Thank you very much Emma ❤️❤️