Large numbers (Easy)

Vocabulary points to take away:
When saying a large number, always begin with the largest number first and use singular
number labels:
One million, two hundred thousand, four hundred and sixty-four. (1, 200,464)

Don’t use the words and to join millions and thousands or thousands and hundreds:
Two million, fifty-six thousand, three hundred. (2,56,300)

But do use the word and to join hundreds and tens (tens are two-digit numbers):
Fifty-six thousand, three hundred and eleven. (56,311)

We sometimes emphasise how big a number is by describing it as a four-figure/fivefigure or six-figure number:
I’m not sure what he earns, but it’s certainly a six-figure number.
a six-figure salary

To describe approximately what a number is, we can say it’s in the tens/the hundreds/
the thousands/the millions. For very big numbers a number can be (in the) tens of
thousands, hundreds of thousands, tens of millions and so on:
They’ve cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from the budget.
Their assets alone must be worth in the tens of millions.

Another way of describing a number approximately is to say that it’s in triple figures:
The number of emails waiting for me after my holiday was in triple figures.

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CLOZE TEST

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Anita

Callum

Finn

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Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Vocabulary with me Callum.

Finn

And me Finn. Today were talking about large .

Callum

Particularly how we say and describe them in English. Heres Anita, whos giving a talk to a

tour visiting Russia.

Finn

Listen out for the answer to this question: How many metres high is Mount Elbrus?

INSERT

Russia is a land of superlatives! At over 6,500,000 square miles, it's the largest country in

the world. And total area of cultivated land has been estimated as a six-figure-

number: perhaps 500,000 square miles. Its mountain ranges Mount Elbrus, which

at 5,642 metres is the highest point in both Russia and Europe. Of its rivers, which in

the hundreds of thousands, the River Volga, the longest river in Europe, is the most well

known. And about the people? Well, heres an interesting fact: the number of

languages spoken in Russia is in triple figures � yes, over 100!

Callum

So that was Anita. And we asked: How many metres high is Mount Elbrus?

Finn

the answer is five thousand, six hundred and forty-two metres high.

Callum

Which is a good example of our today. When saying a large number, we always begin

with the biggest number first. So thousands, then hundreds, then . Tens means numbers

with two digits in them, like forty-two-. Listen again.

Finn

Five thousand, six hundred and forty-two-.

And the other point is, that the number labels are always singular. So five thousand and

not five thousands.

Six hundred and not six hundreds.

Callum

Exactly. Now, notice that we dont connect thousands and hundreds with the and.

Its five thousand, six hundred.

Finn

Not five thousand and six hundred.

Callum

But we do connect hundreds tens with the word and. So six hundred and forty-two-.

And I think its time for our first clip.

CLIP 1

Russia is a land of superlatives! At over 6,500,000 square miles, it's the largest country in

the . The total area of cultivated land has been estimated as a six-figure number:

perhaps 500,000 square miles.

Finn

So heard six million, five hundred thousand. Notice that we dont connect millions

to thousands with the word and either, in this case, millions to hundreds of thousands.

We say it like this: six million, five hundred thousand.

Callum

, how did Anita describe the figure 500,000?

Finn

She described it as a six-figure number. Because it contains six . We could also say

its a six-digit number.

Callum

Yes, we sometimes describe a number in this way to how big it is. And it doesnt’

have to be six. It could be a five-figure or a four-figure .

Finn

Now, on to clip 2.

INSERT CLIP 2

Of its rivers, which are in the hundreds of thousands, River Volga, the longest river

in Europe, is the most well known. And what about the people? Well, heres interesting

fact: the number of languages spoken in Russia is in triple figures � yes, over 100!

Callum

So did Anita describe the number of rivers in Russia?

Finn

She said theyre in the hundreds of thousands.

Callum

we want to describe approximately what a number is, we can say its in the tens,

the hundreds, the and so on. Hundreds of thousands means at least

100,000 and probably a lot more.

Finn

So you could say that a number is in the tens of millions.

Callum

There was also an interesting fact there about number of languages spoken in Russia.

Finn

Anita said theyre in triple figures. That means that the number contains figures –*%��

so at least 100. Its the same as saying that the number is in the hundreds.

IDENT

Minute Vocabulary from bbclearningenglishcom..

Callum

And its quiz time! Number one: How do we say this number? 8-9-2-1. Thats Finn

Its eight thousand, nine hundred and twenty-one-.

Callum

Well done! Number two: What kind of number is 300,000? it:

a) a five-figure number b) a six-figure number c) a six-figures number

Finn

Its b) a six-figure number.

Correct! Number three: Listen to this number: 19,242.

Is it a) in the thousands b) in the tens of c) in the hundreds of thousands?

Finn

This one is b) In the tens of thousands.

Callum

Excellent! How you do? Very well done if you got them all right. Theres more on this

topic at bbclearningenglishcom.. Join again for more 6 Minute Vocabulary.

Both

Bye!

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