Writing Numbers

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

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 Writing Numbers
10 & Below
Spell out numbers between 0-9.
But, when numbers are in a list
it is best to write numerically.
Correct: It was found that four
out of 10 students failed.
Incorrect: She has four sisters
aged six, eight, 13, and 17.
Correct: She has four sisters
aged 6, 8, 13, and 17.
10 & Above
Write numbers that are 10 &
above in numerals (unless they
are at the start of a sentence)
Middle of sentence: Residents
aged 60 and above should
receive free medical insurance.
Beginning of sentence: Seventy
children came to the class trip
this year, but last year there
were 90.
Times
Use numerals for time of the
day. AM and PM are also
written A.M. and P.M., a.m. and
p.m., and am and pm.
Common:
It starts at five o’clock in the
morning.
It starts at 5:35 am.
It starts at 6:00 am.
It starts at 4 PM.
Uncommon: It starts at four
thirty-five.
 Writing Numbers
Dates Percentages Fractions Decimals
Dates are written in Write percentages in Always spell out Write decimals in
numerals. Do not use numerals (unless they simple fractions (use numerals. Avoid
ordinal numbers (i.e. appear at beginning of hyphens) starting your sentences
1st, 2nd, 3rd with full a sentence) with decimals
dates).
Middle of sentence: Incorrect: About 1/3 of Incorrect: There was
Incorrect: School According to the latest the science class zero point eighty six
begins on September study, 63% of teachers comes from Japan. inches of rain this
2nd, 2019. live in the city. month.
Correct: About
Correct: School begins Beginning of sentence: one-third of the Correct: There was 0.86
on September 2, 2019. Eighty and one-half science class comes inches of rain this
percent of students from Japan. month.
drive to school.

Whenever you are in doubt, it’s usually best to spell out the number in words