Thirteen vs. Thirty: How to Say Numbers Clearly in English at Work
By Tonnie Shore
Did your colleague say 13 orders or 30 orders?
To hear the difference, listen to the whole number. Thirteen ends in -teen, with an n sound. Thirty ends in -ty, with no n sound at the end.
| Number | Word |
|---|---|
| 13 | thirteen |
| 30 | thirty |
Watch the video: 13 or 30? Can you hear the difference?
Audio: American English
What is different?
Listen to the ending
Listen to the two numbers above. Then say each one.
- Thirteen: finish with the n sound.
- Thirty: there is no n sound at the end.
Listen to the ending before you choose the number. In fast speech, that ending may be harder to hear.
In American English, the t in thirty can sound like a quick d. The word is still thirty.
Listen to the stress
Stress means saying one part of a word more strongly.
When someone says these numbers alone, you will often hear:
- thirTEEN
- THIRty
The capital letters show the stronger part. You do not need to shout.
But stress can change in a sentence.
In “thirteen orders,” the first part of thirteen may sound stronger. Someone correcting a mistake may say, “Not thirty. ThirTEEN.”
So stress can help, but do not use it as your only clue. Listen for the n sound at the end of thirteen. If you are still unsure, ask the person to confirm the number.
Hear the numbers at work
Here are two updates about customer orders:
We received thirteen orders.
We received thirty orders.
The first update means 13 orders. The second means 30 orders.
Numbers can sound different in sentences. Now listen to the numbers at the end of a sentence:
The total is thirteen.
The total is thirty.
You may also need both numbers in a presentation:
Orders rose from thirteen to thirty.
This means the number of orders increased from 13 to 30. Say both numbers clearly so listeners can follow the change.
Listen: 13 or 30?
Listen to each recording. Write 13 or 30 for each item on paper or in your notes.
The first two recordings contain one number. The other four contain a sentence about work. You can listen more than once.
1
2
3
4
5
6
When you finish, open “Show answers and the words you heard.” Listen again while you read.
Show answers and the words you heard
| Item | Answer | Words you heard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Thirty. |
| 2 | 13 | Thirteen. |
| 3 | 13 | The call lasts thirteen minutes. |
| 4 | 30 | We packed thirty boxes. |
| 5 | 13 | The room number is thirteen. |
| 6 | 30 | The team has thirty people. |
Listen again while you read. If you chose a different number, replay that recording. Listen to the whole number, then say the sentence aloud.
Listen and say the numbers
Play the thirteen and thirty recording at the top of the page again.
- Listen to thirteen.
- Pause and say the number.
- Listen to thirty.
- Pause and say the number.
Then repeat the two order updates. Say the full sentence, including the number and orders.
Finally, choose a number you may need at work. Put it in a short sentence and say it aloud.
For example:
We need thirty minutes.
Say the number clearly. Include the word after it, such as minutes or orders, so your listener knows what the number is about.
Check an important number
If you are not sure which number you heard, ask the other person
For example:
You: Did you say thirteen or thirty orders?
Your colleague: Thirteen. One, three.
You: Thirteen orders.
If your colleague said 30 instead, they could answer:
Thirty. Three, zero.
Saying each digit helps you check the number. You can also repeat the number with orders or minutes to make it clear.
If you are in an online meeting, you can ask the person to type the number in the chat.
Before you use a number at work
- Check the number before your meeting or presentation.
- Say the number clearly.
- Say what the number is about, such as orders or minutes.
- If you are unsure what you heard, ask the person to confirm the digits.
More help with work meetings
Our course, Business English for Work, includes a lesson about adding numbers to an update at work: Meeting Problem 2, Missing Numbers.
For help with other common meeting problems, visit Business English for Meetings.
Learn More About Business English for Work
Business English for Work has 90 short lessons for email, meeting, and presentation problems. Choose the problem you need and learn what to say or write.