Writing Numbers

Question 1

10 & Below

Answer 1

Spell out numbers between 0-9.
But, when numbers are in a list it is best to write numerically.

Correct: It was found that four out of 10 students failed.
Incorrect: She has four sisters aged six, eight, 13, and 17.
Correct: She has four sisters aged 6, 8, 13, and 17.

Question 2

10 & Above

Answer 2

Write numbers that are 10 & above in numerals (unless they are at the start of a sentence)

**Middle of sentence: **Residents aged 60 and above should receive free medical insurance.

**Beginning of sentence: **Seventy children came to the class trip this year, but last year there were 90.

Question 3

Times

Answer 3

Use numerals for time of the day. AM and PM are also
written A.M. and P.M., a.m. and p.m., and am and pm.

Common:
It starts at five o’clock in the morning.
It starts at 5:35 am.
It starts at 6:00 am.
It starts at 4 PM.
Uncommon: It starts at four thirty-five

Question 4

Dates

Answer 4

Dates are written in numerals. Do not use
ordinal numbers (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd with full
dates).
Incorrect: School begins on September
2nd, 2019.
Correct: School begins on September 2, 2019.

Question 5

Percentages

Answer 5

Write percentages in numerals (unless they
appear at beginning of a sentence)

Middle of sentence:
According to the latest study, 63% of teachers
live in the city.

Beginning of sentence:
Eighty and one-half percent of students
drive to school

Question 6

Fractions

Answer 6

Always spell out simple fractions (use
hyphens)
Incorrect: About 1/3 of the science class
comes from Japan.
Correct: About one-third of the science class comes from Japan.

Question 7

Decimals

Answer 7

Write decimals in numerals. Avoid
starting your sentences with decimals
Incorrect: There was zero point eighty six
inches of rain this month.
Correct: There was 0.86 inches of rain this
month

Whenever you are in doubt, it’s usually best to spell out the number in