How to Properly Write Numbers

1. How to Properly Write Numbers Six Rules to Live By

2. Rule #1: Words vs. Numerals • Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use numerals for numbers greater than nine. • Examples: • I want five copies. • I want 10 copies.

3. Rule #2: Normalization • If you have two related numbers in the same sentence, you should write them both as numerals if you would write one as a numeral. • Examples: • The snail advanced 1 inch on the first day and 12 inches on the second day.

4. Rule #3: Numbers Next to Each Other • When you are writing two numbers right next to each other, you should use words for one of them and a numeral for the other because that makes it a lot easier to read. • Examples: • We tested 52 twelve-inch snails.

5. Rule #4: Beginning of a Sentence • When you put a number at the beginning of a sentence, write out the words. • If the number would be ridiculously long to write out, you should rephrase the sentence. Examples: • Sixty dollars is way too much for that shirt!

6. Rule #5: Dialogue • If you’re writing dialogue, spell out all the numbers. • If the words “begin to look silly,” use numerals. Examples: • “I need to sell ninety-three more boxes of cookies for the big prize,” said Carla.

7. Rule #6: Numbers over One Million • If the number is rounded, write it as a numeral plus a word. • If the number is specific, write it as a numeral. Examples: • About 11 million people live there. • The population is 11,570,003.

8. Practice: Correct the Mistakes • We bought 13 10 dollar pizzas. • 2 bald eagles perched on the edge of the roof. • My little sister is turning 9 today! • He lost 13 million when the market crashed. • “Do you think,” Henry asked, “we could stay for 5 more minutes?” • We waited around for twenty-five minutes. • On Saturday it snowed four inches, but on Tuesday they said it would snow 10 inches! • 1969 was the year of the moon landing. • “The tip should be 9 dollars,” explained Joanna.