{"id":366,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=366"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:17:02","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:17:02","slug":"19-4-inserting-numbers-into-text","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/19-4-inserting-numbers-into-text\/","title":{"raw":"19.4 Inserting Numbers into Text","rendered":"19.4 Inserting Numbers into Text"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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19.4<\/span> Inserting Numbers into Text<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Understand general rules for using numbers in text.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Recognize exceptions to the general rules for using numbers in text.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nProper writing of numbers<\/span><\/span> in text is rather simple as long as you are familiar with the general guidelines and the exceptions to those guidelines.\r\n
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    General Guidelines for Using Numbers in Text<\/h2>\r\nAPA style<\/span><\/span> calls for writing out numbers from one to nine in words and using numerals<\/span><\/span> for all other numbers. The Chicago Manual of Style calls for spelling out zero through one hundred as well as certain round multiples such as five thousand or six hundred. MLA style<\/span><\/span>, however, requires that all numbers that are composed of one or two words be written out in words (e.g., one hundred, thirty-six, five million), and all numbers with more than two words be written in numerals (137; 6,482; 3,500,000). There are two general exceptions in MLA:\r\n
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    1. If a number falls at the beginning of a sentence, it should be written out in words.<\/li>\r\n\t
    2. If both large and small numbers are used within a single sentence or passage, all should be written as numerals in order to be consistent.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Exceptions to the General Guidelines for Using Numbers in Text<\/h2>\r\nExceptions to the general guidelines are logical, and they help avoid awkward situations. These exceptions are in place in all citation formats and style sheets.\r\n
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      Numerals with Abbreviations<\/h2>\r\nIn a situation where abbreviations are used, use numerals, not number words, with the abbreviations.\r\n
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      • 6 in.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • 25 cm<\/li>\r\n\t
      • 125 lbs.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • 4 mos.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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        Numerals for Time of Day<\/h2>\r\nWithin text, you can use either words or numbers to write the time of day. Within a document, be consistent in your choice.\r\n
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        • 4:30 in the morning<\/li>\r\n\t
        • four thirty in the morning<\/li>\r\n\t
        • (but) 4:30 a.m.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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          Numerals in Dates<\/h2>\r\nUse words to write months and numerals to write years. When the month, day, and year are all included, also use a numeral to write the day. If the year is not included, you can use either a numeral or a word to write the day. Express decades in numerals or words.\r\n
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          • July 23, 1985<\/li>\r\n\t
          • July 23 or July twenty-third<\/li>\r\n\t
          • the sixties or the 1960s<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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            Numerals in Sports\u2019 Scores and Statistics<\/h2>\r\nUse numerals to write sports\u2019 scores and sports\u2019 statistics.\r\n