Lesson 1: Pronunciation of Numbers -TY or -TEEN

Listen to the lesson here:

Pronunciation

These numbers are pronounced with a clear /T/ sound and the stress (usually) on the second syllable:

• 13 “thir-TEEN”
• 14 “four-TEEN”
• 15 “fif-TEEN”
• 16 “six-TEEN”
• 17 “seven-TEEN”
• 18 “eight-TEEN”
• 19 “nine-TEEN”

These numbers are pronounced with a T-FLAP (a light /d/ sound) and the stress is (usually) on the first syllable:

• 30 “THIR-dee”
• 40 “FOUR-dee”
• 50 “FIF-dee”
• 60 “SIX-dee”
• 70 “SEVen-dee”
• 80 “EIGH-dee”
• 90 “NINE-dee”

These words have a “dropped T” after the N:

• 20 / Twenty –> Pronounced like “twenny”
• Don’t –> Pronounced like “dohn'” (Often, this ends with a glottal stop!)
• Granted –> Pronounced like “grannid”
• Plenty –> Pronounced like “plenny”

Math test in the audio lesson:

1. What is 10 + 10?
2. What is 12 + 2?
3. What is 50 – 20?

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