Pronunciation of Tricky Numbers

Front

What is the tricky number that sounds like 'hero'?

Back

Zero (0) In informal speech, “zero” is often replaced with “oh,” which can be confusing

Front

Can you say the numbers between 13 and 19?

Back

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Problem: Teens (13-19) sound very similar in English. The main difference is in stress: teens have stress on the second syllable (thirTEEN). This can be hard to hear and replicate.

Front

Can you say the numbers in multiples of 10 between 30 and 90?

Back

30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
Problem: Tens (30, 40, etc.) sound very similar in English. The main difference is in stress: tens have stress on the first syllable (THIRty). This can be hard to hear and replicate.

Front

What is the difference in pronunciation between 15 and 50?

Back

Common Errors: Pronouncing “fifteen” as “fif-TY” or mishearing it altogether.

Front

What is the difference in pronunciation between 6 and 16?

Back

Problem: The "x" sound in “six” can be challenging for some learners, especially if they don’t have this sound in their native language. Adding the "-teen" suffix can also be confusing.

Front

What is the difference in pronunciation between 7 and 17?

Back

Common Errors: Students may say “seventy” when they mean “seventeen” or struggle with the pronunciation of /v/.

Front

Pronounce the following numbers: 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99.

Back

Common Errors: Pronouncing these as single digits (3, 4, etc.) instead of double digits or blending them into one sound.

Front

Pronounce the following numbers: 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 660, 770, 880, 990.

Back

Common Errors: Omitting “hundred” or “thousand” or pronouncing it incorrectly (e.g., "a hundred fifty" instead of “one hundred and fifty”).

Front

Read the following numbers: 1000, 2500, 4800, 6200.

Back

1000, 2500, 4800, 6200

Common Errors: Omitting “thousand” or mispronouncing it (e.g., "two five hundred" instead of “two thousand five hundred”)

Front

Read the following numbers: 1 000 000, 2 000 000.

Back

Common Errors: Pronouncing millions in plural form (e.g., "one millions, two millions”) The pronunciation of millions is always in the singular form (e.g., two million)