Once the little tree can walk, the child also takes the first steps in the thought processes by learning to count on the fingers of one hand, then on both. He translates basic arithmetic into words, which he will later be able to write with numbers. We will now leave the numbers of mathematics to deal with the words of grammar, which are called numerals. The numeral is the flexible part of speech that shows a number or the number of objects. Numbers are part of the basic vocabulary of a language and require correct pronunciation and writing. From the beginning, we distinguish between simple and compound cardinal numerals. Only a few are simple, those formed from a single word: from zero to ten, as well as hundred, thousand, million, billion. The rest, an infinity, are compound, in that they are made up of several words. Attention, we are referring to words, not numbers. By the way of composition we distinguish:
- a) the numerals from 11 to 19, with the structure one+spre+ten, written in a ligature: eleven, twelve…eighteen, nineteen. They have been simplified and are written correctly: fourteen and sixteen.
b) in the brackets: 20, 30, up to 90, that is, counting from ten to ten. These are formed according to the structure: duţe + deţe and are also written in one word: duţe, neuzeţe.
- c) the rest of the numerals are written in separate words : 21- twenty-one, 152- one hundred fifty-two, 1944- one thousand nine hundred forty-four.
Returning to simple numerals, we recall that one and two have different forms according to gender: one or one and two in feminine: one tree and one flower, two trees, two flowers. This agreement in gender must also be respected in compound numerals ending in one or two. We will say correctly: twelve days, twelve years or twenty-one years, twenty-one days, twenty-two years, twenty-two days. We also respect the agreement in: twelve thousand, million (not twelve, disagree!) To express the time, correctly: one o’clock, two o’clock, twelve o’clock, twenty-two o’clock. For the date: first of May, second of May, twelve of May, twenty-two of May: „We will meet on the first of May;” on the twelfth of May”. Notice that in communication between people, numerals accompany nouns. There are two situations: numerals from 1 to 19 and all compounds ending in this range join the noun: one man, nineteen people, one hundred and nineteen people. From 20 up to 100 and all in this range are connected with the preposition “of”: twenty people, one hundred people, one thousand and twenty people. By respecting grammar, we ensure the respect of our interlocutors! (Prof. Liviu IOANI)
