Numbers, Time & Days
Counting, telling time, and days of the week
Overview
25 essential words for numbers, time, and calendar. After this lesson, you’ll be able to count, tell time, and talk about days and schedules.
Words
number /ˈnʌmbər/
noun — A1
Meaning: a word or symbol that represents an amount or quantity
Examples:
- What’s your phone number?
- A large number of people attended the event.
Collocations: phone number, a number of, large number, number one
one /wʌn/
number — A1
Meaning: the number 1
Examples:
- I have one brother and two sisters.
- She ate one piece of cake.
two /tuː/
number — A1
Meaning: the number 2
Examples:
- There are two bedrooms in the apartment.
- I’ll be back in two minutes.
three /θriː/
number — A1
Meaning: the number 3
Examples:
- The restaurant is three blocks from here.
- She has three cats.
time /taɪm/
noun — A1
Meaning: the ongoing progression measured in hours, minutes; also a particular moment
Examples:
- What time is it?
- I don’t have time to go shopping today.
Collocations: a long time, on time, free time, have time, spend time, time to go
Word Family: time (n.) → timely (adj.) → timing (n.) → timer (n.)
day /deɪ/
noun — A1
Meaning: a period of 24 hours; the time between sunrise and sunset
Examples:
- What day is it today?
- I work five days a week.
Collocations: every day, one day, the other day, day off, day by day
Word Family: day (n.) → daily (adj./adv.) → daytime (n.)
week /wiːk/
noun — A1
Meaning: a period of seven days
Examples:
- I go swimming twice a week.
- See you next week!
Collocations: this week, next week, last week, once a week, a week ago
Word Family: week (n.) → weekly (adj./adv.) → weekday (n.) → weekend (n.)
month /mʌnθ/
noun — A1
Meaning: one of the twelve periods of time that a year is divided into
Examples:
- My birthday is next month.
- We’ve lived here for six months.
Collocations: this month, last month, next month, per month, a few months
Word Family: month (n.) → monthly (adj./adv.)
year /jɪər/
noun — A1
Meaning: a period of 365 (or 366) days
Examples:
- He’s been working here for five years.
- What are your plans for next year?
Collocations: last year, next year, this year, every year, all year, years ago
Word Family: year (n.) → yearly (adj./adv.)
today /təˈdeɪ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: on this present day
Examples:
- What are you doing today?
- Today is Monday.
tomorrow /təˈmɒrəʊ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: on the day after today
Examples:
- I’ll call you tomorrow.
- Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
yesterday /ˈjestədeɪ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: on the day before today
Examples:
- I saw her yesterday at the supermarket.
- Yesterday was really hot.
morning /ˈmɔːnɪŋ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the early part of the day, from sunrise to noon
Examples:
- I usually go running in the morning.
- Good morning! Did you sleep well?
Collocations: this morning, tomorrow morning, in the morning, good morning
afternoon /ˌɑːftəˈnuːn/
noun — A1
Meaning: the part of the day from noon to evening
Examples:
- The meeting is this afternoon at 3 o’clock.
- Good afternoon, how can I help you?
Collocations: this afternoon, in the afternoon, good afternoon, afternoon tea
evening /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the part of the day between afternoon and night
Examples:
- What are you doing this evening?
- We had dinner on a warm summer evening.
Collocations: this evening, in the evening, good evening, evening meal
night /naɪt/
noun — A1
Meaning: the time between sunset and sunrise when it is dark
Examples:
- I couldn’t sleep last night.
- Good night, see you tomorrow!
Collocations: last night, at night, good night, night shift, night time
Word Family: night (n.) → nightly (adj./adv.) → nighttime (n.) → overnight (adv.)
hour /ˈaʊər/
noun — A1
Meaning: a period of 60 minutes
Examples:
- The film is two hours long.
- I’ll be there in an hour.
Collocations: an hour ago, per hour, half an hour, opening hours, rush hour
Word Family: hour (n.) → hourly (adj./adv.)
minute /ˈmɪnɪt/
noun — A1
Meaning: a period of 60 seconds
Examples:
- Can you wait a minute?
- The station is ten minutes away on foot.
Collocations: a few minutes, just a minute, wait a minute, per minute
clock /klɒk/
noun — A1
Meaning: an instrument that shows the time
Examples:
- There’s a big clock on the wall.
- The clock says it’s half past two.
Collocations: alarm clock, clock tower, around the clock, o’clock
Monday /ˈmʌndeɪ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the first day of the working week
Examples:
- The shop is closed on Mondays.
- See you on Monday!
Friday /ˈfraɪdeɪ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the fifth day of the working week
Examples:
- We’re going out on Friday night.
- Thank goodness it’s Friday!
Sunday /ˈsʌndeɪ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the day after Saturday, traditionally a day of rest
Examples:
- We usually visit grandma on Sundays.
- What do you usually do on Sunday?
now /naʊ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: at the present time
Examples:
- I’m busy now — can I call you back?
- We need to leave now or we’ll be late.
Collocations: right now, just now, from now on, by now
early /ˈɜːli/
adjective/adverb — A1
Meaning: before the usual or expected time
Examples:
- I got up early this morning.
- We arrived ten minutes early.
Collocations: early morning, early bird, too early, as early as
late /leɪt/
adjective/adverb — A1
Meaning: after the usual or expected time
Examples:
- Sorry I’m late — the bus was delayed.
- I went to bed late last night.
Collocations: too late, arrive late, late at night, it’s getting late
Word Family: late (adj.) → lately (adv.) → latest (adj.) → lateness (n.)
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| number | n. | word/symbol for amount |
| one | num. | 1 |
| two | num. | 2 |
| three | num. | 3 |
| time | n. | measured in hours/minutes |
| day | n. | 24-hour period |
| week | n. | 7 days |
| month | n. | 1/12 of a year |
| year | n. | 365 days |
| today | adv. | this present day |
| tomorrow | adv. | the day after today |
| yesterday | adv. | the day before today |
| morning | n. | sunrise to noon |
| afternoon | n. | noon to evening |
| evening | n. | afternoon to night |
| night | n. | dark hours |
| hour | n. | 60 minutes |
| minute | n. | 60 seconds |
| clock | n. | time-showing instrument |
| Monday | n. | 1st workday |
| Friday | n. | 5th workday |
| Sunday | n. | day after Saturday |
| now | adv. | at present |
| early | adj./adv. | before expected time |
| late | adj./adv. | after expected time |