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Except for a few basic rules, spelling out numbers vs. using figures (also
called numerals) is largely a matter of writers' preference. Again, consistency
is the key.
Policies and philosophies vary from medium to medium. America's two most
influential style and usage guides have different approaches: The Associated
Press Stylebookrecommends spelling out the numbers zero through nine and
using numerals thereafteruntil one million is reached. Here are four
examples of how to write numbers above 999,999 in AP style: 1 million; 20
million; 20,040,086; 2.7 trillion.
The Chicago Manual of Style recommends spelling out the numbers zero
through one hundred and using figures thereafterexcept for whole numbers
used in combination with hundred, thousand, hundred
thousand, million, billion, and beyond (e.g., two hundred; twenty-eight
thousand; three hundred thousand; one million). In Chicago style, as opposed
to AP style, we would write four hundred, eight thousand, and twenty
millionwith no numeralsbut like AP, Chicago style would require numerals
for 401; 8,012; and 20,040,086.
Examples:
Twenty-three hundred sixty-one victims were hospitalized.
Nineteen fifty-six was quite a year.
Rule 2a. Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-
nine.
Examples:
Forty-three people were injured in the train wreck.
Twenty-seven of them were hospitalized.
Examples:
We recovered about two-thirds of the stolen cash.
One-half is slightly less than five-eighths.
Rule 3a. With figures of four or more digits, use commas. Count three spaces
to the left to place the first comma. Continue placing commas after every three
digits. Important: do not include decimal points when doing the counting.
Examples:
1,054 people
$2,417,592.21
Note: Some choose not to use commas with four-digit numbers, but this
practice is not recommended.
Rule 3b. It is not necessary to use a decimal point or a dollar sign when
writing out sums of less than a dollar.
Rule 3c. Do not add the word "dollars" to figures preceded by a dollar sign.
Rule 4a. For clarity, use noon and midnight rather than 12:00 PM and 12:00
AM.
NOTE
AM and PM are also written A.M. and P.M., a.m. and p.m., and am and pm.
Some put a space between the time and AM or PM.
Examples:
8 AM
3:09 P.M.
11:20 p.m.
Example:
8AM
3:09P.M.
11:20p.m.
For the top of the hour, some write 9:00 PM, whereas others drop the :00 and
write 9 PM (or 9 p.m., 9pm, etc.).
Rule 4b. Using numerals for the time of day has become widely accepted.
Examples:
The flight leaves at 6:22 a.m.
Please arrive by 12:30 sharp.
However, some writers prefer to spell out the time, particularly when
using o'clock.
Examples:
She takes the four thirty-five train.
The baby wakes up at five o'clock in the morning.
Rule 5. Mixed fractions are often expressed in figures unless they begin a
sentence.
Examples:
We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage increase.
Five and one-half percent was the expected wage increase.
Large round numbers are often spelled out, but be consistent within a
sentence.
Consistent: You can earn from one million to five million dollars.
Inconsistent: You can earn from one million dollars to 5 million dollars.
Inconsistent: You can earn from $1 million to five million dollars.
Rule 8a. When writing out a number of three or more digits, the word and is
not necessary. However, use the word and to express any decimal points that
may accompany these numbers.
Examples:
one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars
one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents
Rule 8b. When writing out numbers above 999, do not use commas.
Rule 9. The following examples are typical when using figures to express
dates.
Examples:
the 30th of June, 1934
June 30, 1934 (no -th necessary)
Example: During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.
Example: During the 80's and 90's, the U.S. economy grew.
Awkward: During the '80's and '90's, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule 12. You may also express decades in complete numerals. Again, it is
cleaner to avoid an apostrophe between the year and the s.
Example: During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew.