Forteen or Fourteen? Which is Correct?

Numbers can sometimes cause confusion, particularly when it comes to spelling. A common question that arises is whether the correct spelling is “forteen” or “fourteen” when referring to the number after thirteen and before fifteen. In this article, we will clarify the correct spelling of the number, explain the reasoning behind it, provide examples of proper usage, and offer practice questions with answers to help reinforce your understanding.

The Correct Spelling: Fourteen

The correct spelling of the number is “fourteen”. The spelling “forteen” is incorrect and is often the result of a misunderstanding of the word’s structure. Let’s break down why the correct form is “fourteen” and how it fits within English number patterns.

1. “Four” + “Teen” = Fourteen

The word “fourteen” is composed of two parts:

“Four”: Refers to the number 4.
“Teen”: A suffix that is used to form numbers from 13 to 19.

When you add the suffix “teen” to the number four, you get “fourteen”—the number that comes after thirteen and before fifteen. The word “teen” in this context refers to the numbers in the second decade of life (13–19), which is why the numbers from thirteen to nineteen all end with “teen”.

Why Isn’t It Spelled “Forteen”?

The confusion often arises from the sound of the word. When spoken quickly, “fourteen” might seem to contain an “o” sound, leading some people to mistakenly spell it as “forteen.” However, this is a misunderstanding of the structure of the number. The root word is “four,” not “for.” Therefore, the correct spelling must retain the “u” from “four.”

Historical Context: Evolution of Number Names

The modern English word “fourteen” comes from Old English “feowertyne” (with “feo” meaning “four” and “tyne” meaning “ten”). This system of forming numbers is part of a long-standing tradition in many Germanic languages, where numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by combining a base number (such as four) with a form of the word for “ten.”

The suffix “-teen” in English comes from the Old English “tīene”, meaning “ten.” In modern English, this has evolved into “-teen”, which is added to numbers like three, four, and five to create numbers like thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen.

Examples of Correct Usage of “Fourteen”

Now that we know “fourteen” is the correct spelling, let’s look at some examples of how to use this number in sentences.

Example Sentences:

She has fourteen books in her collection.
I will be turning fourteen next month!

There are fourteen players on the soccer team.
The meeting will start at fourteen hundred hours, or 2:00 PM.
We need fourteen more volunteers to meet our goal.

In each of these examples, “fourteen” is used correctly to indicate the number 14.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect:

She has forteen books in her collection. ❌

Correct:

She has fourteen books in her collection. ✔️

Explanation: The word “forteen” is incorrect because the number 4 is spelled “four,” not “for.” Therefore, the correct spelling is “fourteen.”

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

To avoid misspelling “fourteen” as “forteen,” it’s helpful to focus on the root word “four.” Since the number 14 is based on the number four, the spelling of “four” must remain intact when forming “fourteen.”

Tips for Remembering the Correct Spelling:

Focus on “Four”: Just as you would never spell the number four as “for,” you shouldn’t spell “fourteen” as “forteen.”

Recognize the Pattern: Numbers from 13 to 19 all end with “-teen.” For example:

Thirteen (three + teen)
Fourteen (four + teen)

Fifteen (five + teen)

Sound It Out: Even though “fourteen” may sound like it contains an “o” when spoken quickly, remember that the root word is “four,” which contains a “u.”

By keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid the common mistake of spelling “fourteen” as “forteen.”

Practice Questions: Fourteen or Forteen?

Let’s practice identifying the correct spelling of “fourteen” with the following questions. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

She will turn _ years old next week.

a) fourteen
b) forteen

Answer:
a) fourteen

Explanation: The correct spelling of the number is “fourteen,” as it is based on the number four with the suffix “-teen.”

Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

There are _ cupcakes on the table.

Answer:
There are fourteen cupcakes on the table.

Explanation: The correct spelling is “fourteen” because the word is formed by combining “four” and “teen.”

Question 3:

True or False:
The correct spelling of the number after thirteen is “forteen.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: The correct spelling is “fourteen,” not “forteen.” The word is based on the number four and must retain the “u” from four.

Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) There are forteen players on the basketball team.
b) There are fourteen players on the basketball team.

Answer:
**b) There are *fourteen* players on the basketball team.*

Explanation: The correct spelling is “fourteen,” as it is based on the word “four.”

Question 5:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

We need _ chairs for the event.

Answer:
We need fourteen chairs for the event.

Explanation: The correct spelling is “fourteen.” The number is formed by adding the suffix “-teen” to the word “four.”

Why Spelling Matters

Correct spelling is important in both formal and informal writing. While misspelling a word like “fourteen” might seem like a small mistake, it can affect the clarity and professionalism of your writing. In more formal settings, such as school assignments, business reports, or official documents, misspelling basic words like numbers can leave a poor impression on your reader.

Additionally, in an age where much of our communication happens through writing—whether via email, text messages, or social media—spelling mistakes can distract from your message and lead to confusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct spelling of the number 14 is “fourteen,” not “forteen.” This mistake often arises because of the way the word sounds, but it’s crucial to remember that the word is based on the number four, which retains the “u” in its spelling. By understanding the structure of the word and recognizing the pattern in numbers that end with “-teen,” you can easily avoid this common error.

Key Takeaways:

“Fourteen” is the correct spelling.
It is composed of the word “four” + “-teen.”
The spelling “forteen” is incorrect and should be avoided.

By practicing the correct spelling and keeping the tips in mind, you’ll be able to confidently use “fourteen” in your writing. Whether you’re counting objects, referring to someone’s age, or discussing dates, knowing how to spell numbers correctly is an essential skill in clear communication.