Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with a number?

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with a number?

Since you should never begin a sentence with a numeral, you should first try to reword the sentence. If you find it unwieldy to reorder your words, spell out the number: Normally you shouldn’t mix words and numerals, but you can make an exception to avoid having a number at the start of a sentence.

How do you use numbers in a sentence?

A simple rule for using numbers in writing is that small numbers ranging from one to ten (or one to nine, depending on the style guide) should generally be spelled out. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals.

Can you start an essay with a number?

Numbers that begin a sentence should always be spelled out: “Sixty-seven movies were released last month.” However, for prose purposes, avoid using numbers at the beginning of sentences.

How do you write numbers in formal writing?

The general rule is that you should spell out numbers one to one hundred, and use digits for anything higher than that. Also hyphenate numbers that that are made up of two words (“thirty-seven”). You should also spell out other round numbers like “thousand,” “hundred thousand,” “billion,” and “trillion.”

How do you express numbers in a sentence?

General Rules

1. Spell out numbers that begin a sentence:
2. Spell out numbers used in a casual sense:
3. Use numerals for numbers 10 and greater and spell out numbers one through nine, with these exceptions:
4. A note on statistics on the web: Please don’t use statistics outside of stats blocks.

Should 7th be spelled out?

You should use words to express numbers below 10 (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine). For instance, numbers that appear right before a unit of measurement should be expressed as numerals, regardless of where they fall, before or after 10.

Can you use numbers in a sentence?

It is generally best to write out numbers from zero to one hundred in nontechnical writing. In scientific and technical writing, the prevailing style is to write out numbers under ten. While there are exceptions to these rules, your predominant concern should be expressing numbers consistently.

How do you write a number at the beginning of a sentence?

Spell out a number—or the word number—when it occurs at the beginning of a sentence, as well as any related numbers that closely follow it: Three hundred persons were expected, but only twenty-three showed up. Number 6 was the last in the series; there was no number 7.

Do you use commas or periods in numbers?

Using Commas in Numbers (US, UK, and China) In the US, UK, and China, a comma is placed every 3 decimal places for numbers larger than 999. The decimal point is shown with a period (full stop).

Can you start a sentence with numerals?

While you should not begin a sentence with numerals, some complex numbers become hard to read when they are written out in full. As a result, you may want to rephrase the sentence instead. This includes some larger numbers: Thirteen thousand three hundred and ninety-eight voted in the district. ✗

Should you write numbers as words or numerals?

You would usually write larger numbers as numerals in formal writing: The study examined 23 subjects. However, at the start of a sentence, all numbers should be written as words: This will read far more smoothly. The same applies for percentages: However, there are some cases where writing numbers as words is impractical.

How do you start a sentence with the year?

Writers tend to be more comfortable with starting a sentence with a year. If you don’t feel this way, simple add the phrase “The year” or reword. 1984 was a good example.

How do you start a sentence with a figure?

It’s not an error to start a sentence with a figure, but it often looks awkward. If you agree, you should either reword your sentence or write the number in full. For example: The Latvian helicopter crew rescued 71 people from the sinking ferry. (This re-worded version is tidier.)