English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
OH, ZERO or NIL?
- Pronounce o (oh), not zero, when reading out phone numbers, years and time.
My phone number is: oh eight oh (not, zero eight zero). - Zero is used in scientific numbers: 20°C. (‘It’s twenty degrees below zero). Zero or nought is also used in mathematical solution: I got zero point five.
- Nil is used in games: Chelsea 2-Manchester United 0 (nil).
GAB
2 Comments
Kudos to you my powerful Doc.
Thanks so much sir.I have benefited a lot from you.
However, I would like question you as regards pronouncing oh as against zero while calling out phone numbers.
It is a number and not an alphabet.
Please I need you clarification on this sir.