Practice saying the following numbers.  

 

Notice that when the number is a multiple of ten, the stress is at the beginning of the word, such as in:

 

Twentieth

Thirtieth

Fortieth

Fiftieth

Sixtieth

Seventieth

Eightieth

Ninetieth

 

 

Notice that when the number is not a multiple of ten, the stress falls on the second part of the word, such as in:

 

Twenty-eighth

Thirty-ninth

Forty-fifth

Fifty-sixth

Sixty-eighth

Seventy-third

Eighty-eighth

Ninety-fourth

 

 

Therefore, the difference between TWENTIETH and TWENTY-EIGHTH is very much about the appropriate stress pattern.

 

Notice what happens with numbers in the “teens.”  The stress, again, falls on the second syllable of the word.  Also, when you say these words, the “t” in “teen” sounds like a “t.”

 

Hear the words  

 

thirteen

fourteen

fifteen

sixteen

seventeen

eighteen

nineteen

 

With multiples of ten, notice that the “t” in the words often changes to a “d” sound because “t” is surrounded by voiced sounds.  Therefore, it is easier to make it voiced, as well.

 

Hear the words

 

twenty – sounds like “twenny”

thirty – sounds like “thirdy”

forty – sounds like “fordy”

fifty – “t” stays the same because “f” is voiceless

sixty – “t” stays the same because “ks” is voiceless

seventy – sounds like “sevendy”

eighty – sounds like “eighdy”

ninety – sounds like “ninedy”