Number Use 7.3 Flashcards
To write the word for a number or numeral?
• a good guideline is to write out numbers up to ten in full when part of a complete sentence, especially in formal writing.
*but some style guides suggest up to one hundred
• very large numbers often mix the two
Ex/
100 billion
Writing decimals
Almost always written as numerals
Writing percentages
General guideline is to use percent after written words and use % after numerals.
*some style guides suggest always writing it out in formal writing and some using numerals and symbols at all times
Percent or per cent?
US
Percent
UK
per cent
*percent is becoming more common worldwide.
Writing fractions
• simple and commonly used fraction are written (e.g., a half, three quarters)
• complex or uncommon fractions and mixed fractions are numerical (e.g., 7/8 or 1 1/2)
• If any fraction begins a sentence they should be written.
Measurement
Numerals are standard, especially in scientific writing.
In nontechnical context numbers preceding units of measurement can be written out.
Ex/
Eight kilometers away
Amounts of money
Either work
*Use the dollar sign when it mixes
Ex/
$100 million
Ordinal numbers
Should always be written out in full (e.g., first, second)
The use of -ly is okay with small ordinal numbers (e.g., firstly) but is awkward with larger ones (e.g., twelfth ly)
Times
• usually are written with numerals, especially with a.m. and p.m..
• sometimes written in full when combined with o’clock.
*for clarity it is best to use numerals. (E.g. one o’clock doesn’t clarify if it’s in the morning or afternoon).
Date formats
Vary by region
US
Month-Day-Year
Ex/
8-5-1981
August 5, 1981
UK and AUS
Ex/
Day-Month-Year
5-8-1981
5 August, 1981
International date format (ISO 8601) is year-month-day
1981-8-5
*numerals are preferred unless very formal unless a notable day (e.g., Forth of July)
Punctuating dates
Can be complicated and are flexible
• periods 12.10.1979
• dashes 12-10-1979
• slashes 12/10/1979
All work
Comma before the year on a date
US
August 5, 2020
UK
5 August 2020
(5th August, 5 August, 5th Aug., or the 5th of August)
*check style guide
Years
Almost always written in numbers.
Can be abbreviated (e.g., ‘86) as long as it’s clear what century it’s referring.
Decades
Words and numerals are common.
Ensure consistency
Check apostrophes
Ex/
1970s not 1970’s
‘70s or 70s not 70’s
Capitalize only if it begins the sentence.
Centuries
• formal writing is written in full (e.g., nineteenth century**)
• 19th century would be fine in less formal writing.
• proper nouns are written in numerals (e.g., 20th Century Studios).
• Only hyphenate when used as an adjective.
Ex/
Nineteenth-century literature is still widely read.
Punctuating numbers
• It’s common but not essential to use a comma with numbers more than four digits long (e.g., $10,000). Apply consistency.
• Compound numbers should be hyphenated when written out in full (e.g., twenty-eight).
• fraction should be hyphenated when used as adjectives or adverbs.
Ex/
My socks are two-thirds full of custard.
• But not when one of the numbers is already hyphenated.
Ex/
I am five thirty-eights sure that I need to change my socks**.
