Number Expression Guides Part 1 - Using Words for Numbers

Use Words for: n Numbers from one to ten except when used with numbers above ten, which will be keyed as figures. Examples: n Did you visit all eight Web sites, or only four? n Buy 15 textbooks and 8 workbooks.

Use Words for: n A number beginning a sentence. Example: n Twelve of the new shrubs have died; 48 are doing well.

Use Words for: n Isolated fractions or indefinite numbers. Example: n Nearly seventy members voted, which is almost one-fourth.

Use Words for: n Names of small-numbered streets and avenues.(ten and under) Example: n The theater is at the corner of Third Avenue and 54th Street.

Number Expression Guides Part 2 - Using Numbers

Use Figures for: n Dates and times except in very formal writing. Examples: n The flight will arrive at 9:48 a.m. on March 14. n The ceremony took place the fifth of June at eleven o’clock.

Use Figures for: n A series of fractions and/or mixed numbers. n Key 1/4, 1/2, 5/6, and 7 3/4.

Use Figures for: n Numbers following nouns. Example: n Case 1849 is reviewed in Volume 5, page 9.

Use Figures for: n Measures, weights, and dimensions. Examples: n 6 feet 9 inches n 7 pounds 4 ounces n 8.5 inches by 11 inches

Use Figures for: n Definite numbers used with percent (%), but use words for indefinite percentages. Examples: n The late fee is 15 percent of the overdue payment. n The brothers put in nearly fifty percent of the start-up capital.

Use Figures for: n House numbers except house number One. Example: n My home is at 8 Weber Drive; my office is at One Weber Plaza.

Use Figures for: n Amounts of money except when spelled for emphasis (as in legal documents). Even amounts are keyed without the decimal. Large amounts (a million or more) are keyed as shown. Examples: n $ cents$775$7,500 n seven hundred dollars ($700) $7.2 million