English course

Lesson 14 of 240

New here? This is lesson 14 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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Numbers one to ten in English

Ana is back at the Blue Plate. Dee holds up two fingers and waits for a number before she refills the cup.

Murray sits on two stools at the end of the counter. He says there are zero leftover seats.

By the end, you'll count from one to ten, say zero, ask how many, and ask for two.

The numbers come in short groups. Two, please is how you ask for two of something.

By the end of this lesson

Count from one to ten, say zero, ask how many, and ask for two.

  • One, two, three.the numbers 1, 2, and 3
  • Four, five, six.the numbers 4, 5, and 6
  • Seven, eight, nine, ten.the numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10
  • Zero.the number 0
  • Two, please.you want two of something
  • How many?you ask the number of things

Scene — two fingers

Same morning at the Blue Plate. Dee stands at the counter with the coffee pot and holds up two fingers.

Ana watches her hand. Murray sits on two stools at the end, with two eggs and a black coffee he has not finished.

The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Dee holds up two fingers over Ana’s cup while Ana watches and Murray sits on stools at the counter’s end with eggs and unfinished coffee.

Learn — one to ten

Six short lines cover one to ten, zero, how many, and two please.

You'll count in small groups, then ask for two.

  1. Ana raises three fingers and studies her hand as she begins counting.

    One, two, three.

    the numbers 1, 2, and 3

    When to use it: Say this when you count the first three numbers.

    Learn it as one piece when you count to three.

    Say it: Three starts with a soft th.

  2. Dee counts on her fingers while Murray watches from the end of the counter.

    Four, five, six.

    the numbers 4, 5, and 6

    When to use it: Say this when you count from four to six.

    Learn it as one piece when you count these three.

  3. Ana continues counting with both hands beside her cup.

    Seven, eight, nine, ten.

    the numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10

    When to use it: Say this when you count from seven to ten.

    Learn it as one piece when you count to ten.

  4. Ana looks toward her empty cup as Dee holds a closed fist above the counter.

    Zero.

    the number 0

    When to use it: Say this when there are none.

    Learn it as one piece for the number none.

    Say it: The stress is on the first part.

  5. Ana holds up two fingers toward Dee and the coffee pot to request two of something.

    Two, please.

    you want two of something

    When to use it: Say this at the counter when you want two.

    Learn it as one piece when you ask for two.

  6. From behind Ana, Dee leans toward her cup with an open hand, asking how many she wants.

    How many?

    you ask the number of things

    When to use it: Ask this when you need a number of things.

    Learn it as one piece when you ask for a number.

    Say it: The stress is on many.

Story — leftover seats

Watch Dee hold up her fingers for a refill. Ana counts, and Murray talks about seats.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Dee looks up from the coffee pot.
  2. DeeGood morning, hon.a warm hello before noon
  3. AnaHi.a friendly hello
  4. DeeHave a seat.please sit down
  5. Murray is already on two stools.
  6. MurrayWell, zero leftover seats.He says there are no seats left.
  7. Dee holds up two fingers over Ana's cup.
  8. DeeHow many?you ask the number of things
  9. AnaOne, two, three.the numbers 1, 2, and 3
  10. DeeTwo, hon.She wants the number two, not three.
  11. AnaTwo, please.you want two of something
  12. MurrayWell, four, five, six.the numbers 4, 5, and 6
  13. AnaSeven, eight, nine, ten.the numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10
  14. DeeThat's enough, sweetie.She wants Ana to stop counting.

Practice — count and ask

Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Four, five, six.Drop the Simple English here
    Seven, eight, nine, ten.Drop the Simple English here
    Zero.Drop the Simple English here
    How many?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What does it mean?

    Four, five, six.

  4. What do you say?

    You finish the count after six.

  5. True or false?

    This line means the number ten.

  6. Fill the gap

    you want two of something

    Two, ____.

  7. Build the line

    you ask the number of things

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  8. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    How many?

    you ask the number of things

    And you reply with:

  9. Swap the word

    It is nine in the morning at the Blue Plate. Greet Dee for the morning.

    Good ____.

  10. What do you say?

    A guest is standing. You want them to sit at the counter.

  11. What does it mean?

    Hi.

Say it — say the numbers

Now you're Ana at the counter. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeGood morning.hello before noon
  2. Ana (you)Ask her the number of things.

    How many?

    you ask the number of things

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
One, two, three.the numbers 1, 2, and 3
Four, five, six.the numbers 4, 5, and 6
Seven, eight, nine, ten.the numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10
Zero.the number 0
Two, please.you want two of something
How many?you ask the number of things
Next: lesson 15How much is it

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