To revisit our library example, perhaps circulation statistics improved in 2015. Decimals are always written as numerals for clarity and accuracy. DecimalsĪnother important factor to consider is whether you are working with a whole number or a decimal. Revised: There were 15 new fiction novels on display. If the number is large and you want to avoid writing it all out, rearrange the sentence so that the number no longer comes first. Incorrect: 15 new fiction novels were on display.Ĭorrect: Fifteen new fiction novels were on display. Here is a rule that you can truly rely on: always spell out numbers when they begin a sentence, no matter how large or small they may be. Writing out large numbers not only wastes space but could also be a major distraction to your readers.
The reason for this is relatively intuitive. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals.įor example, instead of writing "It cost ten-thousand four-hundred and sixteen dollars to renovate the local library," you would write, "It cost $10,416 to renovate the local library." Writing Small and Large NumbersĪ 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.
#RULES FOR WRITING NUMBERS PROFESSIONAL#
If you don't have time to review each number yourself, a professional editor or proofreader can ensure that your numbers are written correctly. Thankfully, when using numbers in writing, you can count on a few conventions that apply to most situations just be sure to consult your specific style guide if one has been assigned. Each type of number may follow a different rule. The document will make use of small numbers, large numbers, decades, and statistics.
Say you're working on a paper evaluating the importance of the local public library in your community. Should you write them out in words or leave them as numerals? To write numbers properly, you will also need to identify potential differences between major style guides (such as MLA, APA, and Chicago, to name a few) because these guides often outline different rules for using numbers in writing. This (somewhat frustrating) fact is especially true when it comes to spelling out numbers. Here is an instructional video with additional information on when to write out numbers.You may have noticed a theme when it comes to the English language: most rules are not standardized. More Information About Writing Out Numbers If you are following APA or MLA Style for a research paper you will want to consult the latest edition of the guides. APA Style, on the other hand, generally uses words for numbers below 10 and numerals for numbers 10 and above. MLA Style spells out numbers that can be written in one or two words ( three, fifteen, seventy-six, one thousand, twelve billion) and to use numerals for other numbers ( 2¾ 584 1,001 25,000,000). The two styles have very different rules for when to write numbers as words or numerals. You can find a longer list of exceptions on the Purdue OWL.ĪPA and MLA Style on Spelling Out NumbersĪ useful entry on the APA Style blog explains the different between APA and MLA style when it comes to numbers. You don't have to spell out numbers when they are part of dates, addresses, time of day, percentages and page and chapter numbers. For example, "The job required fifteen 6-foot long boards."ĭon't Spell Out Numbers in Dates, Addresses, Page Numbers, etc. Grammar Girl says this is because it makes it easier to read. If two different numbers are next to each other you should spell out one of the numbers to make it more legible. When Numbers are Next to Each Other in a Sentence For a long number you might to re-order your sentence so the number is not first. The second sentence is a line from the "Seventy-six trombones" song in The Music Man. "Seventy-six trombones led the big parade."."One hundred and eighteen cats were waiting outside.".If a sentence starts with a number you are supposed to spell out the word even if it takes more than two words to spell it. "I walked five times around the block."."My baseball collection now includes 5,734 cards."."There are only fifteen cookies left in the jar.".The general rule is that you write out the number if it can be spelled using one or two words. There are times when you should spell out a number.