[stylist] Writing question

Wed Nov 12 01:01:11 UTC 2008

Hello,

There are rules for numbers.  Here they are.  I hope this is helpful.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

Writing Numbers
Rule 1.
Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use numerals for numbers greater than
nine.
Correct Examples:
I want five copies.
I want 10 copies.
Rule 2.
Be consistent within a category. For example, if you choose numerals because
one
of the numbers is greater than
nine
, use numerals for all numbers in that category. If you choose to spell out
numbers
because one of the numbers is a single digit, spell out all numbers in that
category.
If you have numbers in different categories, use numerals for one category
and spell
out the other.
Correct Examples:
My 10 cats fought with their 2 cats.
My ten cats fought with their two cats.
Given the budget constraints, if all 30 history students attend the four
plays, then
the 7 math students will be able to attend only two plays.
 (Students
 are represented with figures;
plays are represented with words.)
Incorrect Example:
I asked for five pencils, not 50.
Rule 3.
Always spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them.
Examples:
One-half of the pies have been eaten.
A two-thirds majority is required for that bill to pass in Congress.
Rule 4.
A mixed fraction can be expressed in figures unless it is the first word of
a sentence.
Examples:
We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage increase.
Five and one-half percent was the maximum allowable interest.
Rule 5.
The simplest way to express large numbers is best. Round numbers are usually
spelled
out. Be careful to be consistent within a sentence.
Correct:
You can earn from one million to five million dollars.
Incorrect:
You can earn from one million to $5,000,000.
Correct:
You can earn from five hundred to five million dollars.
Correct:
You can earn from $5 hundred to $5 million.
Incorrect:
You can earn from $500 to $5 million.
Incorrect:
You can earn from $500 to five million dollars.
Rule 6.
Write decimals in figures. Put a zero in front of a decimal unless the
decimal itself
begins with a zero.
Examples:
The plant grew 0.79 of a foot in one year.
The plant grew only .07 of a foot this year because of the drought.
Rule 7.
When writing out large numbers of five or more digits before the decimal
point, use
a comma where the comma would appear in the figure format. Use the word
and
only where the decimal point appears in the figure format.
Examples:
$15,768.13: Fifteen thousand, seven hundred sixty-eight dollars and thirteen
cents
$1054.21: One thousand fifty-four dollars and twenty-one cents
Note:
The comma is now commonly omitted in four-digit whole numbers.
Rule 8.
The following examples apply when using dates:
Examples:
The meeting is scheduled for June 30.
The meeting is scheduled for the 30th of June.
We have had tricks played on us on April 1.
The 1st of April puts some people on edge.
Rule 9.
When expressing decades, you may spell them out and lowercase them.
Example:
During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule 10.
If you wish to express decades using incomplete numerals, put an apostrophe
before
the incomplete numeral but not between the year and the
s.
Correct:
During the '80s and '90s, the U.S. economy grew.
Incorrect:
During the '80's and '90's, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule 11.
You may also express decades in complete numerals. Again, don't use an
apostrophe
between the year and the
s.
Example:
During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew.
Rule 12.
Normally, spell out the time of day in text even with half and quarter
hours. With
o'clock, the number is always spelled out.
Examples:
She gets up at four thirty before the baby wakes up.
The baby wakes up at five o'clock in the morning.
Rule 13.
Use numerals with the time of day when exact times are being emphasized or
when using
A.M. or P.M.
Examples:
Monib's flight leaves at 6:22 A.M.
Please arrive by 12:30 sharp.
She had a 7:00 P.M. deadline.
Rule 14.
Use noon and midnight rather than 12:00 A.M. or 12:00 P.M.
Rule 15.
Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.
Examples:
Forty-three people were injured in the train wreck.
Twenty-three of them were hospitalized.
Rule 16.
Write out a number if it begins a sentence.
Examples:
Twenty-nine people won an award for helping their communities.
That 29 people won an award for helping their communities was fantastic!
OR
That twenty-nine people won an award for helping their communities was
fantastic!

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Donna Hill
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 4:48 PM
To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Writing question

Robert,
Not sure if there's a rule, but I don't think it's ever wrong to spell 
out the number in the body of a piece.
Donna

-- 
For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill

Apple I-Tunes

phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374

Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
www.padnfb.org

Robert Newman wrote:
> When in a narrative of a story and you are needing to speak of a number,
> under what circumstances do you use an actual numeral/number verses
writing
> out the word? For example- the house is 100 years old. Or- She carried the
> two little dogs up to the seventeenth floor. 
>
> Are there rules? Or is it just style?
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman 
> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website- 
> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
> _______________________________________________
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.ne
t
>
>
>
>
> E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386)
> Database version: 5.11100
> http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/
>
>   

E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386)
Database version: 5.11100
http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

_______________________________________________
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/f.wurtzel%40comcast
.net

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.549 / Virus Database: 270.9.0 - Release Date: 11/5/2008 12:00
AM