Reader pam points out a significant difference between technical writing and. Numbers in academic writing academic skills office. For general writing, most guides agree that you should use words for the. Apr 14, 2007 our rule 1 of writing numbers, spell out all numbers beginning a sentence, should take precedence.
After that, be consistent by choosing whether you will follow associated press guidance and spell out all numbers less than 10, or follow chicago manual of style guidance and spell out all numbers. Spell out numbers above ten, unless writing the number would involve using more than two words. The first approach for writing recommends spelling out the numbers one through nine and using. When writing numbers in your essay, the general rule is that whole numbers below 10 should always be spelled out. Jan, 20 but if you want to emphasize the way the numbers are spoken, spell out the numbers. The conventions described here are for nontechnical academic prose where numbers are not a significant focus. If i follow the write out anything below 10 rule, and i follow the use a number in a measurement rule, i would think it should be as i wrote it in the example. Spelling out numbers in technical, scientific, and complex writing. It is generally best to write out numbers from zero to one hundred in nontechnical writing. But if you want to emphasize the way the numbers are spoken, spell out the numbers.
We started the experiment with just 5 books see figure 1. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a really good one is worth a thousand dollars. Youd use numerals rather than words because writing seven or ten words for the numbers would be cumbersome. You would assert that there are three cars or eight baseballs. The associated press stylebook recommends spelling out the numbers zero through nine and using numerals thereafteruntil one million is reached. I bought eight candy bars from the vending machine. When to write out numbers in english writingfollow these. In addition, spell out round numbers of any size and use arabic numerals followed by the terms million and billion to express numbers larger than one million. Also use hyphens when those numbers are part of bigger numbers. As we discuss in the eleventh edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation, writing numbers is a complex topic, with many exceptions.
The 11 participants could not be grouped in pairs, trios, or quads. If you are using a specific citation style, such as mla or apa, consult the style manual for specific formatting instructions. General guidelines for using numbers in nontechnical prose. Basic number rules for nontechnical copy spell out whole numbers up to and including nine e. This article explains the numbering conventions used in biomedical research papers. While there are exceptions to these rules, your predominant concern should. Learn when to write out the words for numbers and when its okay to use. So if you start a sentence with a number and you have another number you would write them out to keep the sentence flowing. Learn when to use numerals and when to write out numbers. Spell out numbers lower than 100 in nonscientific text. Some ordinal numbers, such as those indicating political or geographic order, should use figures in all cases. The rules for turbian are the same as those for chicago except in the following cases. For general writing, most guides agree that you should use words for the numbers one through nine, but for larger numbers the rules vary wildly from style guide to style guide.
In technical writing such numbers should always be written using numerals. In general, figures are used for numbers 10 and above, and numbers below 10. Using numbers, including percentages get it write online. Writing out large numbers would not only waste space but could also be a major distraction to your readers. The sixth edition of the publication manual of the american psychological association offers guidance for writers and publishers in the social and behavioral sciences. Numbers that represent scores or points on a scale. Spelling numbers use this handy chart to help you spell number words correctly.
Write out numbers that begin sentences, but try to avoid long clunky ones. Mar 19, 2014 the general guideline in fiction writing is to spell out numbers that can be expressed in two or fewer words, and use numerals when it would require three words or more. Spell out all numbers through one hundred and any whole numbers followed by. Spelling out numbers in technical, scientific, and complex writing scientific and technical journals, and even news reports, often adhere to the rule that only numbers less than ten should be written out in full, except when fractions or decimals are involved. Even the leading guidebooks for writers, the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style, have different approaches. Chapter 4 writing numbers except for a few basic rules, spelling out numbers vs.
How to write money amounts in an essay or how to write. And even a single style manual will point out that the guidelines change according to the type of number and the context in which it is being used. If the number is large and you want to avoid writing it all out, rearrange the sentence so that the number no. In scientific and technical writing, the prevailing style is to write out numbers under ten. Standard numbers when writing numbers in your essay, the general rule is that whole numbers below 10 should always be spelled out. Guidelines for life sciences and medicine part 3 last updated jul. Under the mla style guide, write numbers out and add the word percent behind the number. Apa style guidelines for numbers words or numerals. If you want a cut off rule by number, spell out numbers from one to nine except in graphs, tables, and such. Another of the rules for writing numbers is that you should always use the digits when writing out a recipe. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. If you are using a specific citation style, such as mla or apa, consult the style manual for.
While there are exceptions to these rules, your predominant concern should be expressing numbers consistently. Whether to use a numeral or to spell out a number as a word is a matter of style. I hope that this post will help those of you transitioning from mla style to apa style the next time you need to include numbers in your research papers. Numbers 10 and above should be written in numeral form. In a survey, five percent of respondents said they were one hundred percent sure when to write out numbers. Use quotation marks for articles, chapter titles, dissertation titles, and other unpublished works. Be sure to also check out our series of posts on numbers and metrication and our faq page on when to express numbers as words. Fourteen lucky women received 12 bracelets and 2 airline tickets when they celebrated their anniversaries today.
Again, consistency is the selection from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Recommendations to spell or not to spell a number differ from style book to style. Reader pam points out a significant difference between technical writing and nontechnical writing. All numbers below 10 should be written out in word form. The general guideline in fiction writing is to spell out numbers that can be expressed in two or fewer words, and use numerals when it would require three words or more. Spell out numbers under 10 zero through nine, and use the numeric symbols for numbers 10 and up. In this article we follow the guidelines of apa style. An exception to this is online text, where in a way all bets are off. Of course, academic papers are typically required to follow a particular style guide. Spelling numbers use this handy chart to help you spell. If i am discussing a story collection that uses line numbers, should the page numbers or the line numbers be cited. In this case, the number is always written out as a word.
An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes, 11th edition book. Policies and philosophies vary from medium to medium. While the style of literary texts is to spell out most numbers, that of scientific text is to use numerals. Some say to use words for the numbers one to one hundred, one to ten, any word that can. The tool spells out numbers and currencies in words. Nov 14, 2014 ordinal numbers should be spelled out when they are numbers between zero and one hundred same rule as with cardinal numbers. Yet somehow, even in writing, numbers have found a way to sneak back into our lives. You might say there were about a thousand people at a gathering, or that onequarter of the audience found it funny. Purdue owl notes that most people spell out numbers that can be expressed in one or two words and use figures for other numbers. Writing research papers journalism english grammar by. Numbers do not begin a sentence with a numeralspell it out. For example, mla style indicates that writers may spell out numbers if they are not used too frequently in the document and can be represented with one or two words e. Numbers dont just show up in math assignments, but also in everyday writing. Americas two most influential style and usage guides have different approaches.
Although usage varies, most people spell out numbers that can be expressed in one or two words and use figures for numbers that are three or more words long. Add a number to a handmade card to customize the card for someones birthday, print out some letters to spell words to make a festive banner or garland, add an initial to a scrapbook page to personalize it to the recipient or use in any of a whole host of other ways. There are some general rules but these are not applicable in all contexts. In general, figures are used for numbers 10 and above, and numbers below 10 are spelled out. Use a combination of figures and words for numbers when such a combination will keep your writing clear. Either spell out both numbers or use numerals to write both. There are several rules of thought on how to handle writing numbers, but the. The reason these guides require percent spelled out instead of using the symbol is to ensure no mistake is made. The general guideline is to use the percentage symbol with numerals and to use the word percent with spelledout numbers. If the number is rounded or estimated, spell it out.
According to the mla handbook for writers of research papers seventh edition, for most mla style papers, spell out numbers written in one or two words such as two or three hundred. Read and learn when to spell out numbers and when to use numerals. In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards. Consistency also plays a role in determine whether to use write the digits or spell out a number. Spelledout numbers in fictional dialogue litreactor. Two or more round numbers hundreds, thousands, etc. Rules for writing numbers the blue book of grammar and. If a number higher than 100 is rounded off or approximated, spell it out in nonscientific copy. May 29, 2010 many writers have difficulty figuring out when to write numbers in words or figures. Jun 25, 2018 the most common and frequently used rule for writing numbers in apa style is determined by whether the number is under 10. Also i believe that you write out numbers if numbers are already written in the sentence. For example, spell out all numbers that begin a sentence. In a survey, 5% of respondents said they were 100% sure when to write out numbers. For cardinal numbers, consult individual entries in the associated press stylebook.
When numbers greater than 100 are spelled out, do not use commas or and e. For scientific papers, you can use the percent symbol, but check the guide youre using to ensure this is correct. Scientific and technical writing will have their own conventions and students should consult a manual dedicated to those standards. The following guidelines should, nevertheless, help. Mary read four new books last week and seven newspaper articles. Rounded numbers over a million are written as a numeral plus a word.
But most of the time there is no reason to write out a full phone number. Jun 26, 2014 i hope that this post will help those of you transitioning from mla style to apa style the next time you need to include numbers in your research papers. The rules for using numbers in academic writing vary among academic disciplines. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. Scientific and technical journals, and even news reports, often adhere to the rule that only numbers less than ten should be written out in full, except when fractions or decimals are involved.
Any numbers used with measurements time, distance must be expressed as figures in technical. When spelling out numerals, hyphenate numbers from twentyone through ninetynine when these numbers occur alone or as part of a larger number. If you begin a sentence with a number, spell it out, even if it is a date or other number that uses more than two words. If you have two or more numbers in the same sentence, use the same option for all of the numbers. One of the exceptions to this rule is when a sentence starts with a number.
Number to words number spelling home online tools number to words spelling tool. Aug 07, 2015 numbers can be written either as words e. Spell out quantities unless they are quantities that we are accustomed to seeing as numerals. To us, using numerals for singledigit numbers looks tacky. If you chose to spell out multiword whole numbers between 22 and 99, use hyphens. Ordinal numbers should be spelled out when they are numbers between zero and one hundred same rule as with cardinal numbers. The reason these guides require percent spelled out instead of using the symbol is to ensure. She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and the show is a fivetime winner of best education podcast in the podcast awards. Mar, 2020 also i believe that you write out numbers if numbers are already written in the sentence.
Style manuals do not agree on the issue of when writers should spell out numbers and when they should use numerals. These style guides ama, apa, ap, cms, mla, turabian, and others lay out very specific rules on number usage. When using numbers in nonscientific text, spell out numbers less than one hundred or numbers of any size that begin a sentence. When two numbers are adjacent, spell out the number most easily expressed in words and leave the other as a numeral, or reword the sentence to separate the numbers. The rules for writing numbers call for spelling out numbers under ten characters and numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Spell out according to the mla handbook for writers of research papers seventh edition, for most mla style papers, spell out numbers written in one or two words such as two or three hundred. If a sentence begins with a year, write the year before writing out the year in. There are several rules of thought on how to handle writing numbers, but the most common is pretty simple. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice.
How to write out numbers in mla format pen and the pad. In formal writing, however, you should spell the percentage out like 12 percent of the players or twelve percent of the players, depending on your preference as explained in point three. Apa style, on the other hand, generally uses words for numbers below 10 and numerals for numbers 10 and above. If no usage is specified, spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for numbers 10 and above. How to write numbers under apa guidelines pen and the pad. Opinions on when to write out numbers vary from author to author. Numbers 10 and above are written as a numeral like 10, 17 and 233. Line numbers, if provided, are most helpful to readers for citations of commonly studied poems and verse plays, since. Printable letters and numbers are useful for a variety of craft projects for the home or classroom. The gregg reference manual spells out numbers from 1 to 10. How are notes numbered and placed in the mlas books.