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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