🇬🇧
Numbers & Time in English
Numbers and time are the backbone of daily conversation. These 35 essential phrases cover counting, telling the time, and key expressions — with native audio.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
🔢 Numbers 1–10
1.
One.
One (1)
'One' is also used formally to mean 'you' (one should...) — a distinctly British usage.
explanation:
2.
Two.
Two (2)
English homophones: 'two' (number), 'too' (also/excessively), 'to' (direction/infinitive).
explanation:
3.
Three.
Three (3)
The 'th' sound doesn't exist in most languages — it requires the tongue between the teeth.
explanation:
4.
Four.
Four (4)
'Four' and 'for' sound identical in English — context tells you which is meant.
explanation:
5.
Five.
Five (5)
explanation:
6.
Six.
Six (6)
explanation:
7.
Seven.
Seven (7)
Seven is widely considered the luckiest number in English-speaking cultures.
explanation:
8.
Eight.
Eight (8)
The 'gh' in 'eight' is silent. English silent letters: knight, wrote, lamb, know.
explanation:
9.
Nine.
Nine (9)
'On cloud nine' = extremely happy. 'A stitch in time saves nine.' English loves number idioms!
explanation:
10.
Ten.
Ten (10)
'A perfect ten' = ideal, flawless. From the 10-point scoring system in gymnastics/beauty contests.
explanation:
💯 Bigger Numbers
11.
Eleven.
Eleven (11)
11 and 12 are irregular (eleven, twelve). From 13 onwards: thirteen, fourteen... much more regular.
explanation:
12.
Twelve.
Twelve (12)
Twelve is significant: 12 hours, 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 inches in a foot.
explanation:
13.
Twenty.
Twenty (20)
21–99: hyphenated — twenty-one, thirty-five, forty-seven. Simple and consistent.
explanation:
14.
Thirty.
Thirty (30)
Pattern: twenty, thirty, forty (-ty = ten). 40 = 'forty' NOT 'fourty' — a common spelling error!
explanation:
15.
Fifty.
Fifty (50)
'Fifty-fifty' = split equally. '50/50 chance' means equal probability.
explanation:
16.
One hundred.
One hundred (100)
British English: always say 'and' in hundreds — 'one hundred and twenty.' American English omits 'and.'
explanation:
17.
One thousand.
One thousand (1,000)
British English uses commas as thousands separators: 1,000 — American English does too.
explanation:
18.
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
'How much is it?' is slightly more casual but equally correct.
explanation:
19.
It costs ten pounds.
It costs ten pounds.
'Quid' = British slang for pound. 'Ten quid' = £10. Very common in everyday speech.
explanation:
20.
Two tickets, please.
Two tickets, please.
In Britain, 'please' is essential. Ordering without it can seem rude in shops and cafés.
explanation:
🕐 Telling the Time
21.
What time is it?
What time is it?
'Have you got the time?' is a very British way to ask a stranger for the time.
explanation:
22.
It's three o'clock.
It's three o'clock.
'O'clock' = 'of the clock' (historical). British timetables use 24-hour time: 15:00.
explanation:
23.
It's half past three.
It's half past three. (3:30)
British: 'half past three.' American: 'three-thirty.' Both equally correct.
explanation:
24.
It's quarter past three.
It's quarter past three. (3:15)
British: 'quarter past/to.' American: 'a quarter after/to.' 3:45 = 'quarter to four.'
explanation:
25.
In the morning.
In the morning. (AM)
AM = ante meridiem (before midday). PM = post meridiem (after midday) — from Latin.
explanation:
26.
In the afternoon.
In the afternoon. (PM)
Afternoon = noon to ~6pm. Evening = ~6pm to ~9pm. Night = after ~9pm.
explanation:
27.
Today.
Today.
'Today' + time: 'this morning', 'this afternoon', 'this evening', 'tonight'.
explanation:
28.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
'Tomorrow morning', 'tomorrow afternoon', 'tomorrow night.' Easy to extend!
explanation:
📅 Days of the Week
29.
Monday.
Monday.
In the UK, Monday starts the week. In the US, calendars start on Sunday.
explanation:
30.
Tuesday.
Tuesday.
Named after Tiw/Tyr — the Anglo-Saxon/Norse god of single combat. Mars's equivalent.
explanation:
31.
Wednesday.
Wednesday.
Named after Woden/Odin — king of the Norse gods. The 'd' in Wednesday is silent!
explanation:
32.
Thursday.
Thursday.
Named after Thor — god of thunder. 'Thunder' and 'Thursday' share the same Old Norse root!
explanation:
33.
Friday.
Friday.
Named after Frigg/Freya — goddess of love. 'TGIF' (Thank God It's Friday!) is widely used.
explanation:
34.
Saturday.
Saturday.
The only English day from Roman mythology (Saturn) — all others are Norse/Anglo-Saxon.
explanation:
35.
Sunday.
Sunday.
In the UK, Sunday trading laws restrict shop opening hours — many close early.
explanation:
Want to practice these phrases?
The LingoSwipe app lets you swipe through flashcards, hear native audio, and quiz yourself — across 11 languages.
Download LingoSwipe FreeAlso available in: