What is the rule for writing 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.
How do you write numbers in a sentence?
General Rules
- Spell out numbers that begin a sentence:
- Spell out numbers used in a casual sense:
- Use numerals for numbers 10 and greater and spell out numbers one through nine, with these exceptions:
- A note on statistics on the web: Please don’t use statistics outside of stats blocks.
Can you start a sentence with a number AP style?
In general, spell out numbers at the start of a sentence. A few exceptions are years and combinations of letter(s) and number(s). This is new guidance in the 2018 AP Stylebook, and note the use of 3D, no hyphen, as well.
When should numbers be written as words?
Numbers up to nine should always be written in words, anything higher than nine can be written in numerals. Alternatively, some guides suggest that if you can write the number in two words or fewer then use words rather than numerals.
How do you write numbers in legal writing?
may differ, here are a few basic tips related to numbers.
- Spell out numbers below 10 and big round numbers.
- If you chose to spell out multi-word whole numbers between 22 and 99, use hyphens.
- Also use hyphens when those numbers are part of bigger numbers.
- When writing large numerals, use commas.
How do you write numbers in English comma or dot?
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).
How are numbers written in British English?
Here’s how it works: The guiding rules for general writing suggest you should almost always use full words for small numbers, from one to nine (i.e. not 1, 2, 3, to 9), and numerals for those over nine. As a rule of thumb, use written words if it can be expressed in two words or less.
Can you start a sentence with a year number?
Years should be expressed as numerals except at the beginning of a sentence. Most style guides agree that beginning a sentence with a numeral is poor style, so years placed at the beginning of a sentence should be written out as words.
How do you write numbers in AP style?
Generally speaking, we follow the guidelines outlined in the AP Stylebook. In body copy, we prefer to spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for numbers 10 and greater. This is true of ordinal numbers, as well. Spell out first to ninth, and capture 10th or greater with numerals.
Do you write out numbers in legal writing?
The Chicago Manual of Style, The Bluebook and the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation all suggest spelling out numbers from zero to ninety-nine. Always spell out a number at the beginning of a sentence. If you can’t abide by that simple rule in a particular instance, then you must rewrite the sentence.
Do you put a comma after a number in a sentence?
Numbers. Most authorities, including The Associated Press Stylebook and The Chicago Manual of Style , recommend a comma after the first digit of a four-digit number. The exceptions include years, page numbers, and street addresses. We sold 1,270 rare books last year; the most expensive sold for $5,255.
Do numbers need commas?
In English, we use commas in numbers greater than 999 to split the number and make it clearer. We use a comma every third digit from the right. More than 50,000 people turned up to protest.
Should numerals at the beginning of a sentence be spelled out?
Spell out numbers when they appear at the beginning of a sentence. In almost all cases, single, double-digit and compound numbers should be spelled out for clarity if they start a sentence. Exceptions may be used for incomplete sentences, like bullet points, or four-numeral dates (i.e. 1845).
Can you start sentence with a number?
As a matter of style, most journals advise authors not to start any sentence with an abbreviation or a number. However, acronyms are generally acceptable in that position, either because they are words in their own right (such as laser and radar) or represent names of organizations (such as NASA and CERN ).
Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with a number?
It is considered untidy to start sentences with figures. You should either reword your sentence or write the number in full. However, if the number at the start of your sentence has a decimal point and you cannot reword the sentence, just leave it as it is.
Can We begin a sentence with a ‘number’?
One such rule is that we should never start a sentence with a number . While this blanket ban is understandable-depending on the content, starting a sentence with a number can be confusing or disruptive for readers-doing so is generally grammatically acceptable if you follow the three guidelines outlined below.