The Rules for Writing Numbers
I don’t know about you but I still remember those silly versus from grammar school when you are learning spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Things like: “When two vowels go walking the first does the talking” or ” I before E except after C”. One thing I can never remember are the rules about writing numbers with the exception of, if the number is a single digit, spell it out. Even in my office we all can’t agree on the proper ways to write numbers. So, as usual I googled and found Grammarbook.com. This site has all the rules about writing numbers. Apparently there are 16 rules (who knew) and the following are the first five.
#1 – Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use numerals for numbers greater than nine.
#2 – Be consistent within a category. If you use numbers then use all numbers, if you spell out then spell out all numbers. Example: I have 10 tickets to the concert and 2 tickets for the party or I have ten tickets to the concert and two tickets to the party
#3 – Spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them. Example: Two-thirds of the staff are in favor of casual Friday.
#4 – A mixed fraction can be expressed in figures unless it is the first word of a sentence. Example: Jimmy got a 4 1/2 percent raise. Example #2 – Four and one-half percent is the maximum wage increase for all employees.
#5 – The simplest way to express large numbers is best. Round numbers are usually spelled out. Remember to be consistent in a sentence. Example: Company profits are estimated to be between one million to five million. Another example: You can spend from $2 hundred to $2 thousand on furniture.
#4 – A mixed fraction can be expressed in figures
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