Numbers 1–20 in English, including their role in grammar and usage in everyday contexts.
Understanding the numbers 1 through 20 is essential for building a foundation in English. These numbers help with counting, telling time, doing simple math, and much more.
English 1–
Here are the numbers from 1 to 20 in English, along with their usage in example sentences.
| English Number | English Example | Example Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| (one) | I have one apple. | I have a single apple. |
| (two) | She has two cats. | She has a pair of cats. |
| (three) | We need three chairs. | We need a triangle number of chairs. |
| (four) | There are four books. | Four books are present. |
| (five) | Five people came. | A group of five people arrived. |
| (six) | I’ll be there in six minutes. | The wait is for six minutes. |
| (seven) | She is seven years old. | Her age is seven. |
| (eight) | I ate eight cookies. | The number of cookies eaten is eight. |
| (nine) | The class has nine students. | Nine students are in the class. |
| (ten) | Ten fingers on hands. | A total of ten fingers. |
| (eleven) | The clock shows eleven. | The time is 11 o’clock. |
| (twelve) | There are twelve eggs. | The carton holds twelve eggs. |
| (thirteen) | Thirteen is considered unlucky. | The number 13 has superstitions. |
| (fourteen) | I’m fourteen years old. | Stating age as fourteen. |
| (fifteen) | The bus arrives at fifteen. | The bus comes at 15 minutes past. |
| (sixteen) | She turned sixteen yesterday. | Her 16th birthday was yesterday. |
| (seventeen) | Seventeen students passed. | students succeeded. |
| (eighteen) | Eighteen is the legal age. | Age of majority is 18. |
| (nineteen) | Nineteen is close to twenty. | is just before 20. |
| (twenty) | Twenty is a round number. | is a whole, even number. |
Special Notes on Number Words
Numbers 1–20 include some unique spellings and pronunciations that are important to learn.
- and 12 don’t follow the “-teen” pattern.
- Numbers 13–19 all end in “-teen,” but their roots may change (e.g., thirteen, fifteen, eighteen).
- The number 20 ends with “-ty,” a pattern that continues in higher numbers (thirty, forty, etc.).
Using Numbers in Sentences
Numbers 1–20 can be used as both nouns ("I have three") and adjectives ("three apples").
- Use singular form for 1 (one apple) and plural for 2 or more (two apples).
- Numbers come before the noun they describe (e.g., five dogs, fourteen students).
- When writing in words, numbers 1–20 are usually spelled out.
Summary
The numbers 1–20 are the building blocks of English numeracy. They appear in daily life for counting, telling time, talking about ages, and more. Mastering these numbers is the first step to using all English numbers confidently.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- Example Meaning: I have a single apple.
- English Number: 1 (one)
- English Example: I have one apple.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
