Beginner Lesson 9
Creation - Day 7
Grammar Exercise
English Numbers
God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he rested. In this lesson, let’s talk about English numbers.
Cardinal Numbers
The number six is called a cardinal number. Cardinal numbers are used to show quantity. Cardinal numbers are adjectives. They are followed by a noun. The cardinal numbers from one to twelve are:
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve
Here are some sample sentences:
He took the seven small loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks. (Matthew 15:36)
Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood. (1 Peter 3:20)
Moses wrote down the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)
Pronouncing Cardinal Numbers
Numbers are very common words. In many languages, common words have irregular spelling and pronunciation. Here is a list of the numbers from 1-10 and the IPA pronunciation. if the word has more than one syllable, the stressed syllable is underlined. Listen to the audio to hear how these words are pronounced. Practice and repeat.
one /wʌn/
two /tuː/
three /θriː/
four /fɔːr/
five /faɪv/
six /sɪks/
seven /ˈse vn/
eight /eɪt/
nine /naɪn/
ten /ten/
eleven /ɪˈle vn/
twelve /twelv/
Pronounce Cardinal Numbers
Ordinal Numbers
The word seventh is called an ordinal number. Ordinal numbers are used to show order – the position of something in a series. The ordinal numbers from one to twelve are:
first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth
Just like cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers are adjectives and are followed by a noun. Here are some sample sentences:
I am planning to visit you for the third time. (2 Corinthians 12:14)
On the fourth day of Chislev, the ninth month of the fourth year that Darius was king of Persia… (Zechariah 7:1)
My dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to encourage you… (2 Peter 3:1)
Pronouncing Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers can be tricky to pronounce. There can be many consonants and very few vowels, but with practice, you can do it!
The Unvoiced th Sound
All ordinal numbers (except first, second, and third) end with the unvoiced th sound.
Th is one of the last sounds you will study as an English learner. For this lesson, the most important thing about the th sound is that your tongue touches your top teeth. People should be able to see your tongue! Watch this video to learn how to pronounce the th sound:
Here are the ordinal numbers from one to twelve with the IPA pronunciations. Listen to the audio recording, then practice speaking the numbers out loud.
first /fɜːrst/
second /ˈse kənd/
third /θɜːrd/
fourth /fɔːrθ/
fifth /fɪfθ/ (v changes to f)
sixth /sɪksθ/
seventh /ˈse vnθ/
eighth /eɪtθ/ (g and h are silent)
ninth /naɪnθ/
tenth /tenθ/
eleventh /ɪˈ le vnθ/
twelfth /twelfθ/
Pronounce Ordinal Numbers
A Casual Writing Shortcut
Many times when people write ordinal numbers, they use the number with th attached. This is for casual writing only.
4th, 10th, 50th
For the irregular words first, second, and third, write them like this:
1st, 2nd, 3rd
There is no difference in pronunciation.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Do this easy worksheet to practice ordinal numbers. Click this button to download the worksheet:
Now click the button to go to the writing exercise.
