Except
for a few basic rules, spelling out numbers vs. using figures (also called
numerals) is largely a matter of writers' preference. Again, consistency is the
key.
Rule
1. Spell out all numbers beginning a sentence.
Examples:
Twenty-three
hundred sixty-one victims were hospitalized.
Nineteen fifty-six was
quite a year.
Note: The Associated Press Stylebook makes an
exception for years.
Example: 1956
was quite a year.
Rule
2a. Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through
ninety-nine.
Examples:
Forty-three
people were injured in the train wreck.
Twenty-seven of them were
hospitalized.
Rule
2b. Hyphenate all written-out fractions.
Examples:
We
recovered about two-thirds of the stolen cash.
One-half is slightly less
than five-eighths.
However, do not
hyphenate terms like a third or a
half.
Rule
3a. With figures of four or more digits, use commas. Count three
spaces to the left to place the first comma. Continue placing commas after
every three digits. Important: do not include
decimal points when doing the counting.
Examples:
1,054
people
$2,417,592.21
Note: Some choose not to use commas with four-digit numbers, but this
practice is not recommended.
Rule
3b. It is not necessary to use a decimal point or a dollar sign when
writing out sums of less than a dollar.
Not Advised: He
had only $0.60.
Better:
He
had only sixty cents.
OR
He had only 60 cents.
Rule
3c. Do not add the word "dollars" to figures preceded by a
dollar sign.
Incorrect: I have $1,250
dollars in my checking account.
Correct: I have $1,250 in my checking
account.
Rule
4a. For clarity, use noon and midnight rather
than 12:00
PM and 12:00 AM.
Using the paragraph hamburger to make writing easier.
Writing essays for international exams
Writing for success in the TOEFL test.
The essential grammar rules for TOEFL essay writing.
Everything you need to know about the rules of capitalization.
The rules for writing numbers in English
Using connecting words for essay writing.
Spelling rules for writing in English.
Formal versus informal English.
NOTE
AM and PM are
also written A.M. and P.M., a.m. and p.m.,
and am and pm.
Some put a space between the time and AM or PM.
Examples:
8
AM
3:09 P.M.
11:20 p.m.
Others write times using no space
before AM or PM.
Example:
8AM
3:09P.M.
11:20p.m.
For the top of the hour, some
write 9:00
PM, whereas others drop the :00 and write 9
PM (or 9 p.m., 9pm, etc.).
Rule
4b. Using numerals for the time of day has become widely accepted.
Examples:
The
flight leaves at 6:22 a.m.
Please arrive by 12:30
sharp.
However, some writers prefer to
spell out the time, particularly when using o'clock.
Examples:
She
takes the four thirty-five train.
The baby wakes up at five
o'clock in the morning.
Rule
5. Mixed fractions are often expressed in figures unless they begin a
sentence.
Examples:
We
expect a 5 1/2 percent wage increase.
Five and one-half percent
was the expected wage increase.
Rule
6. The simplest way to express large numbers is usually best.
Example: twenty-three
hundred (simpler than two thousand three hundred)
Large round numbers are often
spelled out, but be consistent within a sentence.
Consistent: You
can earn from one million to five million dollars.
Inconsistent: You
can earn from one million dollars to 5 million dollars.
Inconsistent: You
can earn from $1 million to five million dollars.
Rule
7. Write decimals using figures. As a courtesy to readers, many
writers put a zero in front of the decimal point.
Examples:
The
plant grew 0.79 inches last year.
The plant grew only 0.07
inches this year.
Rule
8a. When writing out a number of three or more digits, the word and is
not necessary. However, use the word and to express any
decimal points that may accompany these numbers.
Examples:
one
thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars
one thousand one hundred
fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents
Simpler: eleven
hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents
Rule
8b. When writing out numbers above 999, do not use commas.
Incorrect: one thousand,
one hundred fifty-four dollars, and sixty-one cents
Correct: one thousand one hundred
fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents
Rule
9. The following examples are typical when using figures to express
dates.
Examples:
the
30th of June, 1934
June 30, 1934 (no -th necessary)
Rule 10. When spelling
out decades, do not capitalize them.
Example: During
the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule
11. When expressing decades using figures, it is simpler to put an
apostrophe before the incomplete numeral and no apostrophe between the number
and the s.
Example: During
the '80s and '90s, the U.S. economy grew.
Some writers place an apostrophe
after the number:
Example: During
the 80's and 90's, the U.S. economy grew.
Awkward: During
the '80's and '90's, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule 12. You may also
express decades in complete numerals. Again, it is cleaner to avoid an
apostrophe between the year and the s.
Example: During
the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew.
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