English with Darren

When do we say the word and with large numbers?  How do we pronounce it?

Listen and repeat the numbers in the table.

We use the word and after the word hundred, for example:

345 = three hundred and forty-five
1,345 = one thousand three hundred and forty-five.

When we're saying numbers, we don't say /ænd/.  Instead, we say /ən/:

345 = three hundred and /ən/ forty-five
1,345 = one thousand three hundred and /ən/ forty-five.
751,345 = seven hundred and /ən/ fifty-one thousand three hundred and /ən/ forty-five.

This is because and isn't an important word here so we don't need to pronounce it fully.  The important words are the numbers, which we pronounce fully and a little louder than /ən/:

345 = THREE HUNDRED /ən/ FORTY-FIVE.
1,345 = ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED /ən/ FORTY-FIVE.
751,345 = SEVEN HUNDRED /ən/ FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED /ən/ forty-five.

Knowing the difference between /ænd/ and /ən/ makes it a lot easier to understand long numbers when you hear them.

Numbers in written form

Look at the numbers below. When do we use a comma?

1,345
13,345
51,345
751,345

We use a comma to separate thousands and hundreds, for example:

1,345 =  one thousand (,) three hundred and forty-five.

There are always three numbers after a comma.

Interested in learning more?

The full pronunciation of and /ænd/ is called the strong form. 

/ən/ is a weak form. 

There are many weak forms in English and the schwa /ə/ is used a lot. 

Understanding the difference in sound between strong and weak forms can really help you to improve your listening skills.  Tell me more!