Introduction 🍞
“Baker’s dozen” is a fascinating English expression that means 13 instead of 12. Let’s explore this phrase and learn other related expressions for talking about quantities in English!
Basic Expressions 🧮
Common Number Phrases
- a baker’s dozen (13 items)
- a dozen (12 items)
- half a dozen (6 items)
- a couple (2-3 items)
- a few (3-4 items)
- several (more than a few, usually 5-7)
- a handful (approximately 4-5)
Related Adjectives
- Abundant
- Plentiful
- Numerous
- Countless
- Multiple
- Various
- Ample
Useful Expressions and Examples 🎯
When Talking About Quantities
Example 1: “Could I get a baker’s dozen of those cookies?”
“Just give me half a dozen eggs.”
When Being Approximate
Example 2: “I’ll need a couple of minutes.”
“There were several people waiting in line.”
When Discussing Large Numbers
Example 3: “The store had countless options.”
“There must have been dozens of people there.”
Conversation Examples 🗣️
At a Bakery
A: “How many donuts come in a box?”
B: “We usually do a baker’s dozen, so you get an extra one!”
A: “That’s perfect, I’ll take a box.”
Shopping Conversation
A: “How many eggs should we buy?”
B: “Let’s get a dozen. We can always use them.”
A: “What about half a dozen instead?”
B: “That should be plenty for our needs.”
Grammar Points 📝
Using Articles with Numbers
-
a/an + dozen/baker’s dozen Example: “I need a dozen roses.”
-
the + dozen Example: “The dozen eggs we bought yesterday.”
-
number + dozen Example: “She ordered two dozen cupcakes.”
Common Mistakes ❌
Incorrect: “I want baker’s dozen cookies.” Correct: “I want a baker’s dozen of cookies.”
Incorrect: “Give me couple minutes.” Correct: “Give me a couple of minutes.”
Situational Phrases 🎪
In Stores and Shops
- “I’ll take a baker’s dozen, please.”
- “Do you sell them by the dozen?”
- “Just half a dozen will do.”
Expressing Approximate Numbers
- “There were a couple of issues.”
- “I saw several birds in the garden.”
- “It only takes a handful of minutes.”
Number Expressions 🔢
Casual Ways to Express Numbers
- “It’ll take a couple of days.”
- “There are dozens of reasons.”
- “We’ve got oodles of time.”
Idioms 📚
Number-Related Idioms
- “Six of one, half a dozen of the other”
- “Two’s company, three’s a crowd”
- “Third time’s the charm”
Common Usage Examples 🌟
Example: “The bakery always gives a baker’s dozen - you get 13 instead of 12!”
“When someone says ‘a couple,’ they usually mean 2 or 3, not exactly 2.”
Summary 📊
Key Points to Remember
- Baker’s dozen always means 13
- Use appropriate articles (a, an, the)
- Remember that some number phrases are approximate
When using number expressions in English, context is important. Sometimes exact numbers matter, but often we use these phrases more casually!
Practice Tips
- Listen for these phrases in everyday conversation
- Practice using them in different situations
- Remember that some expressions are flexible in meaning
These number expressions will help you sound more natural when speaking English!