student asking question

How can I describe fractions like 1/5, 1/143 in English?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

There are several different ways to describe fractions in English. One way is to say the first number normally and the second number you add a -th, -rd or an -nd at the end of it. For example, 1/5 is said one fifth. Another way that it could be said is if the first number is a one, you can just say the second number and add the proper ending such as a fifth. Here are some more examples. Ex: 2/3 is two thirds Ex: 3/7 is three sevenths Ex: 1/2 is a half (this is the only way to say this one) Ex: 4/5 is four-fifths Ex: 1/25 is one twenty-fifth Ex: 1/8 is one eighth or an eighth 1/143 is a little trickier. You would say one and one hundred and forty third. You could also say one out of one hundred and forty-three.

Complete the expression with a quiz!