Fractional numerals in English

Numerals are the words by which we determine the number or order of items in the bill. We know that in English as in Russian, there are cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers. More details about each of these groups you can find in the corresponding material on the blog. It remains to talk about fractional numerals in English (fractional numbers). How did these concepts are expressed in the language we are studying?

In order to understand the intricacies of the use of fractional numerals in the English language, you must remember certain information from a mathematics course. What shot did you study in school? The correct answer — simple and decimal. It is in this vein that we talk about fractional numerals.

Fractions in English

In English, in simple fractions (common fractions) expressed cardinal number numerator and the denominator — the ordinal. So do not forget how to form ordinal numbers. Moreover, if the numerator is a number greater than unity in the denominator will also end — s at the end. For example:

• ½ — a half / one half
• ⅓ — a third / one third
• ¼ — a fourth / one fourth / a quarter / one quarter
• ⅕ — a fifth / one fifth
• ⅙ — a sixth / one sixth
• ⅔ — two third s
• ¾ — three fourth s / three quarter s
• ⅘ — four fifth s
• ⅚ — five sixth s
• 1 ½ — one and a half
• 2 ¼ — two and a fourth
• 3 ⅓ — three and a third

In what is a noun including accompanying fractional numeral in the English language? The noun of the shot will be in the singular, and it will be located in front of the preposition of:

• ⅔ kilogram (two thirds of a kilogram)
• ¾ kilometer (three fourths of a kilometer)
• ½ litre (one half of a litre)

If the noun refers to a mixed number, we use the plural noun:

• 2 ½ kilograms (two and a half kilograms)
• 3 ¾ kilometer (three and three fourths kilometers)

Decimals in English

Now let’s talk about the decimals in English (decimal fractions). In Russian we are such fractions separate the integer from the fraction with a comma. In English, for the same procedure used point. The fractions of each digit is read separately. By the way, the point in English — point, and at zero two options — nought (UK) and zero (USA). If an integer is represented in decimal zero, often reading it is lowered. For example:

• 0.1 — nought point one / point one
• 0.2 — nought point two / point two
• 0.3 — nought point three / point three
• 0.01 — nought point nought one / point nought one
• 0.02 — nought point nought two / point nought two
• 0.03 — nought point nought three / point nought three
• 3.36 — three point three six
• 6.92 — six point nine two
• 8.71 — eight point seven one
• 64.705 — six four point seven nought five

And a few words about the percentage. To indicate the percent sign is used — and the word% per cent:

• 3% — three per cent
• 4/5% — four fifths per cent / four fifths of one per cent

That’s all the information you need to know to navigate the article «Fractional numerals in the English language.» I’m sure you all have long known there remember some nuances.

This topic is closely related to the other as described in the articles that need to pay attention:

• «The numerals in the English language»
• «Cardinal numbers in English»
• «Ordinal numbers in English»
• «Dates and ordinal numbers in English»

After reading them, we recommend to pass the following test: «The test for the use of numerals in the English language.»

 

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