One style is to use words for single-digit numbers and to
use numerals for all others; another is to use words for single-digit
and double-digit numbers and to use numerals for all others. Percentages
should nonetheless be written as numerals (2 percent); large rough
numbers as words (a million); large precise numbers as a combination
of numerals and words (1.3 billion). There naturally are other
views. Some editors recommend the use of figures all the time; others,
the use of words, even for three million four hundred ninety thousand
dollars. Whatever the system you adopt, be consistent.
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INCONSISTENT
|
|
CONSISTENT
|
| two cars on one page and 2 cars
on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
two cars on one page and two
cars on the next |
| the first on one page and the
1st on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
the first on one page and the
first on the next |
| eleven o'clock on one page and 11
o'clock on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
eleven o'clock on one page and eleven
o'clock on the next |
| 1950s on one page and 50's, 1950's,
fifties, Fifties, nineteen fifties, or Nineteen Fifties
on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
1950s on one page and 1950s on the next |
| 0.5 on one page and .5 on
the next |
CHANGE TO
|
0.5 on one page and 0.5 on
the next |
| 1994–95 on one page and 1994–1995
on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
1994–95 on one page and 1994–95
on the next |
| two-thirds on one page and 2/3
on the next |
CHANGE TO
|
two-thirds on one page and two-thirds
on the next |
