Writing numbers
Lecture 7
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 Stylebook recommends
spelling out the numbers zero through nine and
using numerals thereafter—until 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 thereafter—except for
whole numbers used in combination with
hundred, thousand, hundred thousand, million,
billion, and beyond (e.g., two hundred; twentyeight thousand; three hundred thousand; one
million).
• In Chicago style, as opposed to AP style, we
would write four hundred, eight thousand, and
twenty million with no numerals—but like AP,
Chicago style would require numerals for 401;
8,012; and 20,040,086.
• This is a complex topic, with many exceptions,
and there is no consistency we can rely on among
blogs, books, newspapers, and magazines. This
lecture will confine itself to rules that all media
seem to agree on.
• Rule 1. Spell out all numbers beginning a
sentence.
Examples:
Twenty-three hundred sixty-one victims were
hospitalized.
Nineteen fifty-six was quite a year.
• Note: The Associated Press Stylebook makes an
exception for years.
Example: 1956 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.
• Rule 2b. Hyphenate all written-out fractions.
Examples:
We recovered about two-thirds of the stolen cash.
One-half is slightly less than five-eighths.
• However, do not hyphenate terms like a third or a
half.
• 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 fourdigit 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.
Not Advised: He had only $0.60.
Better: He had only sixty cents.
OR: He had only 60 cents.
• Rule 3c. Do not add the word "dollars" to figures
preceded by a dollar sign.
Incorrect: I have $1,250 dollars in my checking
account.
Correct: I have $1,250 in my checking account.
• 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.
• Others write times using no space before AM
or PM.
Example:
8AM
3:09P.M.
11:20p.m.
• For the top of the hour, some write 4:00 PM,
whereas others drop the :00 and write 4 PM
(or 4 p.m., 4pm, 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.
• Rule 6. The simplest way to express large
numbers is usually best.
Example: twenty-three hundred (simpler than two
thousand three hundred)
• 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 7. Write decimals using figures. As a
courtesy to readers, many writers put a zero in
front of the decimal point.
Examples:
The plant grew 0.79 inches last year.
The plant grew only 0.07 inches this year.
• 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
Simpler: eleven hundred fifty-four dollars and
sixty-one cents
• Rule 8b. When writing out numbers above 999,
do not use commas.
Incorrect: one thousand, one hundred fifty-four
dollars, and sixty-one cents
Correct: one thousand one hundred fifty-four
dollars and sixty-one cents
• 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)
We have had tricks played on us on April 1.
The 1st of April puts some people on edge.
• Rule 10. When spelling out decades, do not
capitalize them.
Example: During the eighties and nineties, the
U.S. economy grew.
• Rule 11. When expressing decades using
figures, it is simpler to put an apostrophe
before the incomplete numeral and no
apostrophe between the number and the s.
Example: During the '80s and '90s, the U.S.
economy grew.
• Some writers place an apostrophe after the
number:
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.