Question | Answer |
Numbers provide our communications with specific information such as | quantities, dollar amounts, percentages, measurements, dates |
Numbers from 1 through 10 | the numbers from 1 through 10 should be written in words |
Numbers that begin sentences | write in words any number that begins a sentence |
when spelling out large numbers (numbers over 1000) | use the shortest form possible Ex: fifteen hundred orders NOT one thousand five hundred |
Fraction standing alone | write in words a fraction that stands alone without a whole number. Ex: About one-half of the patients came early. |
Ages | spelled out unless they are considered significant statistics or technical measurements. Ex: Only employees who will be 55 by January 1...(the age is a significant statistic) |
periods of time | general period of times are usually written in words Ex: Although these ads were created fifteen years ago, they are still effective. |
Numbers written as figures | numbers higher than 10, sums of money, time, house, street, ZIP code numbers, decimals, mixed numbers, numbers in series;related numbers, percentages, weights and measures, miscellaneous |
Time | use figures with a.m. and p.m. Use either words or figures with o'clock |
House, Street, ZIP, Code Numbers | spell out street names from 1 through 10. Use figures for numbered street over 10. |
Decimals | for clarity use a zero before the decimal point when there is no whole number |
Mixed numbers | write a mixed number (a whole number plus a fraction) in figures, except at the beginning of a sentence. When spelling out mixed number, use the word "and" to separate the whole number from the fraction. Ex: three and one-half |
Number in series | when one number in a series must be written in figures, write all the numbers in figures. Ex: Our department consist of 2 nanagers, 5 secretaries, 12 media buyers, and 13 ad writers. (numbers 12 and 13 are above 10, they must be express in figures) |
Related numbers | numbers that refer to the same kinds of things. Ex:Thuy mailed 32 brochures and has already received 8 orders in just two weeks (3 would be spelled out, but it is related to 32. "Two" is not related to the other numbers and is therefore correctly spell. |
Percentages | use figures with the word "percent" Ex: last week the interest rate was about 8 percent |
The symbol % | is used in technical writing and in tables and invoices, not in correspondence. Always use figure with the symbol % with no space between the figure and the symbol. |
weights and measures | use figures to express numbers in weights, measures, and distances. |
Consecutive numbers like 100 twenty-cent stamps | Written that way to avoid confusing statement like 100 20-cent. Write the smaller of two consecutive numbers in words, even if that number would usually be written in figures |
Numbers written as words | numbers from 1 through 10, numbers that begin sentences, fractions standing alone, ages, periods of time |