Numbers are the first thing you need in a shop, a station or an office. Learn to say them clearly and you can already do a lot.
1. Saying Your Phone Number
Nurse: What's your phone number?
Paul: It's 555 3021.
Nurse: Sorry, was that 3021?
Paul: Yes, that's right.
Nurse: Thank you.
2. Asking the Time
Tim: Excuse me. What time is it?
Woman: It's half past nine.
Tim: Sorry, nine or ten?
Woman: Nine thirty.
Tim: Thank you very much.
Woman: No problem.
3. Days of the Week
Ella: What day is it today?
Sam: It's Tuesday.
Ella: Do you work on Saturday?
Sam: No, I don't. I work Monday to Friday.
Ella: Lucky you.
Sam: Yes, I like my weekends.
4. Months and Dates
Clerk: When is your birthday?
Yuki: It's on the fifth of March.
Clerk: March fifth. And what year?
Yuki: Nineteen ninety-eight.
Clerk: Thank you. That's everything.
5. Making an Appointment
Receptionist: When would you like to come?
Mark: Is Thursday possible?
Receptionist: Yes. Morning or afternoon?
Mark: Morning, please.
Receptionist: Ten o'clock?
Mark: That's fine. Thank you.
6. Opening and Closing Times
Anna: What time do you open?
Staff: We open at eight in the morning.
Anna: And what time do you close?
Staff: At six in the evening.
Anna: Are you open on Sunday?
Staff: No, we're closed on Sunday.
7. Being Late
Rosa: Sorry I'm late.
Ken: That's okay. What happened?
Rosa: The bus was late.
Ken: Don't worry. We just started.
Rosa: Thank you for waiting.
8. How Long Does It Take?
Tourist: How long does it take to the airport?
Driver: About forty minutes.
Tourist: Is that with traffic?
Driver: Yes, more or less.
Tourist: Okay. Let's go.
Words to know
| half past | thirty minutes after the hour It's half past nine. |
| o'clock | used for a full hour, with no minutes Ten o'clock. |
| today | this day What day is it today? |
| tomorrow | the day after today See you tomorrow. |
| birthday | the day you were born When is your birthday? |
| open | ready for customers to come in What time do you open? |
| late | after the right time Sorry I'm late. |
| about | not exactly; close to About forty minutes. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: What time is it?
B: It's ________ past nine.
2. A: What day is it today?
B: ________ Tuesday.
3. A: When is your birthday?
B: It's ________ the fifth of March.
4. A: What time do you ________?
B: We open at eight.
5. A: Sorry I'm ________.
B: That's okay. Don't worry.
6. A: How long does it ________?
B: About forty minutes.
Show the answers
1. half 2. It's 3. on 4. open 5. late 6. take
Common mistakes
Not: What is the clock?
Say: What time is it?
English asks about the time, not about the clock.
Not: It's nine and half.
Say: It's half past nine.
The order is half past + the hour.
Not: My birthday is in five March.
Say: My birthday is on the fifth of March.
Use on with a date, and say fifth, not five.
Your turn
Say these five things aloud about your own life. Use real numbers, not the ones in the lesson.
- Say your phone number slowly, one number at a time.
- Say what time it is right now.
- Say what day it is today and what day it is tomorrow.
- Say when your birthday is.
- Say how long it takes you to get to work or school.
Quick review
Numbers only become easy when you say them out loud. Read your phone number, today's date and the time five times each. Then say them again tomorrow. A week of this and you will never hesitate again.