When writing or speaking in English, numbers, dates, and measurements follow certain rules that may vary depending on the context or geographical location. This post explores some common conventions and best practices to help avoid confusion, particularly for learners of English.
Numbers and Measurements
When using numbers, especially with units of measurement (distance, weight, quantity), certain grammatical structures need attention:
Plural Forms: When referring to exact numbers, we don't pluralize "hundred," "thousand," or "million." However, if the number is vague, we can use plural forms:
Correct: There were five hundred people at the event.
Correct: Hundreds of people gathered at the festival.
Quantities: Quantities are usually treated as singular:
Five kilograms is a heavy load.
300 miles is a long distance.
Order of Adjectives with Measurements: In English, the structure typically follows the pattern: verb + measurement + adjective. For example:
The tower is 30 meters high.
She is 5 feet tall.
Percentages: When using percentages, we generally avoid the definite article ("the"):
About 70% of the class passed the exam.
Incorrect: About the 70% of the class...
Fractions and Decimals: Fractions and decimals often require careful word order:
One and a half liters of water is enough for today.
1.5 liters is too much for a single cup.
Explanation:
Fractions in words:
One and a half liters of water is enough for today.
Here, "one and a half" is a fraction expressed in words. When using fractions in sentences, we treat the whole fraction as a singular quantity if it refers to a single measurement. That’s why the verb used is "is" rather than "are."
The phrase could be rewritten as "1.5 liters of water is enough for today," which means the same thing. The important rule here is that when a fraction is used with a unit of measurement, it behaves as a singular entity.
Decimals in numerals:
1.5 liters is too much for a single cup.
In this example, "1.5 liters" is a decimal, and like fractions, it represents a singular amount. Therefore, the verb is "is."
This sentence emphasizes that decimals, even though they might visually suggest multiple units, are treated as singular when they refer to a specific quantity or measurement.
Why the Careful Word Order?
In English, it’s important to place the quantity or measurement before the adjective that describes it. For example:
One and a half liters is enough (quantity + verb + description).
If you reversed this, it would sound awkward or incorrect: Enough is one and a half liters.
By following these rules, you ensure that your sentence sounds natural and grammatically correct when using fractions and decimals.
Dates
Dates can be presented in various ways depending on the region. In most English-speaking countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., different formats may be preferred. Here’s a breakdown of common formats:
U.K. and Australian Style (Day/Month/Year):
14 October 2024
14/10/2024
U.S. Style (Month/Day/Year):
October 14, 2024
10/14/2024
ISO Standard (Year/Month/Day), often used in scientific and technical writing:
2024/10/14
Ordinal Numbers: When writing out dates, it is acceptable to use ordinal numbers, but when typing, it’s best to avoid them:
October 21st, 2024 (spoken)
October 21, 2024 (written)
Spans of Years: To indicate a range of years, use a dash:
The war lasted from 1914-1918.
His career spanned from 1985-2001.
Financial or Academic Year: A slash is often used to indicate a financial or academic year:
The fiscal year 2023/2024.
Sports Scores and Results
In sports, scores are presented without prepositions:
They won 4-2.
The final score was 3-1.
Time and Temperature
For time:
It’s 3:30 p.m.
The event starts at half-past six.
For temperature:
It’s 20 degrees Celsius outside.
The soup needs to be heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for Writing Numbers
Small Numbers in Words: Numbers from one to ten are usually written in words, while larger numbers are written as numerals:
I have three books.
She bought 15 apples.
Large Numbers: Use commas to separate thousands:
The population is 1,234,567.
Hyphenate Compound Numbers: When writing out numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, hyphenate them:
There are twenty-three students in the class.
Understanding these basic principles helps in presenting information clearly and prevents confusion, particularly in international communication. Whether you’re discussing the distance between two places, the date of an important event, or the score of a match, clarity is key.
Rules For Using Units of Currency
The rules for using units of currency are similar to the rules for units of measurement, but there are some specific nuances. Here’s a breakdown of how to use currency units in English:
1. Singular Form of Currency:
When the amount is exactly one (or less than one), the currency unit is singular.
Examples:
1 dollar
0.5 dollar (half a dollar)
1 euro
1 pound
This rule also applies to fractions less than 1 (e.g., 0.75 dollar) since they refer to part of a single unit.
2. Plural Form of Currency:
When the amount is greater than 1 (including decimals and fractions), the currency unit is plural.
Examples:
2 dollars
1.5 euros
10 pounds
25 rupees
Any amount greater than one, whether a fraction or a whole number, uses the plural form of the currency unit.
3. General Rules for Currency:
Singular form for exactly one or when referring to amounts less than one.
Plural form for amounts greater than one, including decimals or fractions larger than 1.
When currency symbols are used (e.g., $ for dollars, € for euros), the singular/plural distinction still applies but is more implicit.
Example: I need $1 (one dollar), I have $5 (five dollars).
Key Examples:
One dollar (singular)
Half a dollar (singular, less than one)
One and a half dollars (plural, more than one)
Two euros (plural, more than one)
0.75 pound (singular, less than one)
4. Special Case for Currencies Without Plurals:
Some currencies, like Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and Thai baht, do not have different plural forms. In these cases, the unit remains the same, whether singular or plural:
1 yen, 5 yen
1 yuan, 10 yuan
In these instances, the singular and plural forms are identical, but the number still determines the verb and other grammatical choices.
5. Use of Cents/Pence/Subunits:
For smaller units like cents (for dollars, euros, etc.), the rules are the same.
Examples:
0.25 dollar (singular for less than one)
25 cents (plural for more than one)
1 penny (singular) vs. 50 pence (plural, in British currency).
Important Points:
Singular when referring to exactly one unit or less than one.
Plural when referring to more than one unit, even with decimals or fractions.
Some currencies do not have a plural form (e.g., yen, baht, yuan), but the amount still follows the singular/plural rule in terms of verb agreement.
By keeping these rules in mind, you'll use currency units correctly in various contexts!
Three Lakh or Three Lakhs?
The correct usage is "three lakh" (without the plural "s").
Explanation:
In Indian English, the word "lakh" (which equals 100,000) typically remains singular when used with numbers. This applies even for large numbers like two lakh, three lakh, or five lakh.
The word "lakh" functions like other units of measurement or currency, where the plural form is not typically used after numbers (similar to "ten million" or "two hundred").
Correct Usage:
"Three lakh" (correct)
"Three lakhs" (incorrect)
This follows the convention for large numbers in Indian English, where "lakh" and "crore" remain singular regardless of the number that precedes them.
Here’s an exercise on understanding numbers, dates, and measurements in English:
This exercise will help reinforce the correct use of numbers, dates, and measurements in various contexts.
Exercise: Numbers, Dates, and Measurements
A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
The meeting is scheduled for (May 5 / the 5th of May / 5 May) at 10 a.m.
Three (kilometers / kilometer) is a long distance to walk.
About (75% / the 75%) of the team attended the seminar.
They won the match (2-1 / two to one / two and one).
The distance between the two cities is (200 mile / 200 miles).
(Millions / A million) of people watched the concert live.
The bridge is (500 meters long / long 500 meters).
(Ten thousands / Ten thousand) people signed the petition.
B. Correct the errors in these sentences:
The temperature is 30 degrees centigrade hot.
He is tall 1.7 meters.
The percentage of people who attended the event was the 85%.
They finished the race in three hours and forty-five minutes.
The final score was five to two.
There were two hundreds people at the event.
I got about the 90% of the answers correct.
We are leaving on the 22th of July.
C. Rewrite the following sentences using a different format for the dates:
14th September 2024
March 3, 2022
1/11/2020 (write in ISO format)
10/5/2023 (write in U.S. format)
D. Fill in the blanks with the correct number or measurement:
The room is ______ square meters.
The population of the city is about ______ million.
The marathon is ______ kilometers long.
The building is ______ meters tall.
The train journey will take ______ hours and ______ minutes.
E. True or False: Mark each statement as True (T) or False (F):
Fifty kilograms are too much for one person to lift.
Three hundred dollars is a lot of money.
The match ended with a score of two to zero.
We are going on vacation on 10th January.
He is two meters high tall.
F. Short Answer:
Write today’s date in two different formats.
How do you express a score of 4-0 in words?
What is the correct word order when describing the height of a building?
What is the ISO format for the date March 15, 2025?
Here are the answers to the exercise:
A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
May 5 / the 5th of May / 5 May
Three kilometers is a long distance to walk.
About 75% of the team attended the seminar.
They won the match 2-1.
The distance between the two cities is 200 miles.
Millions of people watched the concert live.
The bridge is 500 meters long.
Ten thousand people signed the petition.
B. Correct the errors in these sentences:
The temperature is 30 degrees Celsius.
He is 1.7 meters tall.
The percentage of people who attended the event was 85%.
They finished the race in 3 hours and 45 minutes.
The final score was five-one (5-1).
There were two hundred people at the event.
I got about 90% of the answers correct.
We are leaving on the 22nd of July.
C. Rewrite the following sentences using a different format for the dates:
14 September 2024 or September 14, 2024
3 March 2022 or March 3rd, 2022
2020-11-01 (ISO format)
May 10, 2023 (U.S. format)
D. Fill in the blanks with the correct number or measurement:
The room is 50 square meters.
The population of the city is about 2 million.
The marathon is 42.195 kilometers long.
The building is 300 meters tall.
The train journey will take 2 hours and 30 minutes.
E. True or False: Mark each statement as True (T) or False (F):
False – Fifty kilograms is too much for one person to lift.
True – Three hundred dollars is a lot of money.
True – The match ended with a score of two to zero (2-0).
True – We are going on vacation on 10th January.
False – He is two meters tall (not "high").
F. Short Answer:
Today’s date (assuming today is 11th October 2024):
11 October 2024 or October 11, 2024
4-0 in words is: four-nil.
The correct word order when describing the height of a building is: The building is [number] meters tall.
The ISO format for the date March 15, 2025 is: 2025-03-15.
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