How to Distinguish the Numbers Thirteen, Thirty, Fourteen, Forty, Fifteen, Fifty, and So On

Teacher: Welcome to daily tips on learning English. Today's tip is on how to distinguish the numbers Thirteen, Thirty, Fourteen, Forty, Fifteen, Fifty, and so on.

Teacher: There is often a lot of confusion when people use these words. People often have to ask did you say sixteen or sixty? one six or six zero? If you look at the sounds used in these pairs of words, you'll notice that the only difference is in the final N sound, the final N sound n in the teen words.

Teacher: Do people listen for this sound to tell them which word has been said. Do people say this sound loudly and clearly? So, the people will know which word they are saying. Native speakers don't.

Teacher: They use different stress patterns to distinguish the words.

Teacher: In the teen words is the last syllable which is stressed. In the numbers Thirty, Forty, Fifty, and so on is the first syllable which is stressed.

Teacher: Also, when the syllable is stressed, that syllable's vowel sound is lengthened and when the syllable isn't stressed, the vowel is shorter.

Teacher: Listen to me say the words and notice the different syllables being stressed. Thirteen, Thirty, Fourteen, Forty, Fifteen, Fifty, Sixteen, Sixty. Now listen to the length of the vowels in the different syllables. I'll exaggerate them first, so it is easier to notice. Thirteen, Thirty, Fourteen, Forty, Fifteen, Fifty.

Teacher: Now I'll say them naturally. Thirteen, Thirty, fourteen, Forty, Fifteen, Fifty, Sixteen, Sixty, Seventeen, Seventy, Eighteen, Eighty, Nineteen, Ninety.

Teacher: When you say these words, give special care to stressing the right syllable and to the length of the vowel sound in the stressed syllable.

Teacher: This's been today's tip on learning English. Tune in tomorrow for another tip.