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When to Spell Out Numbers in Writing: Guide and Examples

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The Rules for Writing Numbers in English 

You may have noticed a theme when it comes to the English language: most rules are not standardized. This (somewhat frustrating) fact is especially true when it comes to spelling out numbers. Should you write them out in words or leave them as numerals? To write numbers properly, you will also need to identify potential differences between major style guides (such as MLA , APA , and Chicago , to name a few) because these guides often outline different rules for using numbers in writing.

To make it easier, let's use an example. Say you're working on a paper evaluating the importance of the local public library in your community. The document will make use of small numbers, large numbers, decades, and statistics. Each type of number may follow a different rule.

Thankfully, when using numbers in writing, you can count on a few conventions that apply to most situations; just be sure to consult your specific style guide if one has been assigned. If you don't have time to review each number yourself, a professional editor or proofreader can ensure that your numbers are written correctly.

Writing Small and Large Numbers

A simple rule for using numbers in writing is that small numbers ranging from one to ten (or one to nine, depending on the style guide) should generally be spelled out. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals.

For example, instead of writing "It cost ten-thousand four-hundred and sixteen dollars to renovate the local library," you would write, "It cost $10,416 to renovate the local library."

The reason for this is relatively intuitive. Writing out large numbers not only wastes space but could also be a major distraction to your readers.

Beginning a Sentence with a Number

Here is a rule that you can truly rely on: always spell out numbers when they begin a sentence, no matter how large or small they may be.

Incorrect: 15 new fiction novels were on display.

Correct: Fifteen new fiction novels were on display.

If the number is large and you want to avoid writing it all out, rearrange the sentence so that the number no longer comes first.

Revised: There were 15 new fiction novels on display.

Whole Numbers vs. Decimals

Another important factor to consider is whether you are working with a whole number or a decimal. Decimals are always written as numerals for clarity and accuracy.

To revisit our library example, perhaps circulation statistics improved in 2015. If a number falls in the range of one to ten and is not a whole number, it should be written as a numeral.

Incorrect: The circulation of library materials increased by four point five percent in 2015.

Correct: The circulation of library materials increased by 4.5% in 2015.

Paired Numbers (Two Numbers in a Row)

When two numbers come next to each other in a sentence, be sure to spell out one of these numbers. The main purpose of this rule is to avoid confusing the reader.

Incorrect: There were 12 4-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Correct: There were 12 four-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Correct: There were twelve 4-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Decades and Centuries

Decades or centuries are usually spelled out, especially if the writing is formal.

Incorrect: The library was built in the '50s.

Correct: The library was built in the fifties.

If you are referring to a specific year (e.g., 1955), use the numeral.

Consistency Is Key When Using Numbers in Your Writing

Always strive for consistency, even if it overrides a previous rule. For example, if your document uses numbers frequently, it is more appropriate for all numbers to remain as numerals to ensure that usage is uniform throughout. Similarly, if a single sentence combines small and large numbers, make sure that all the numbers are either spelled out or written as numerals.

Incorrect: The library acquired five new mystery novels, 12 new desktop computers, and 17 new periodicals.

Correct: The library acquired 5 new mystery novels, 12 new desktop computers, and 17 new periodicals.

Style Guides May Have Slightly Different Rules for Writing Numbers in Words

Let's complicate things a bit, shall we?

If your work must follow the rules of a specific style guide, understand that various guides all have rules for spelling out numbers that may differ slightly from the rules listed above. For example, MLA style indicates that writers may spell out numbers if they are not used too frequently in the document and can be represented with one or two words (e.g., twenty-four, one hundred, three thousand ). APA style advises that common fractions (e.g., two-thirds ) be expressed as words. A number of specific rules for spelling out numbers are outlined in Section 9.1 of the Chicago Manual of Style.

Your ultimate authority will always be a style guide, but in the absence of one, following the rules outlined above will help you stay consistent in your use of numbers in writing.

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In an essay, when do you spell out numbers and when do you use numerals?

According to APA Style, you should normally use numerals for the numbers 10 and above. You should use words to express numbers below 10 (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine).

Note, however, that APA lists a wide variety of exceptions. For instance, numbers that appear right before a unit of measurement should be expressed as numerals, regardless of where they fall, before or after 10. Example: Give him 5 cups of soup.

The APA also addresses this question directly in this webpage .

The sections in APA that address numbers are 6.32-6.39 in the 7th edition of the Publication Manual.

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  • Last Updated Dec 12, 2022
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do you type out numbers in an essay

MLA Style Manual

Numbers and dates.

Dates in text should have a number rather than an ordinal.

April 6 (not April 6th)

Punctuate common forms of dates as follows:

April 1967 (no comma) April 6, 1967 (comma after day of month; insert comma after year as well in running text) 1968–1972 (en dash) May–June 1967 (en dash) 1965– (en dash for open-ended date) fiscal year 1958/59 (eliminate century in the second year if it is the same) school year 2004/05 (same as fiscal year) association year 2004/05 (same as fiscal year) 1970s (no apostrophe) the ’70s (apostrophe before year)

For months, use the following forms in references in all publications; do not follow with a period.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

In MLANET‘s “Find a Job,” use month/date/year format with numerals.

Use numerals, unless the year is at the beginning of a sentence. When referring to a decade, never use an apostrophe before the “s.”

enumerations

Numerical lists imply rank or temporal order (first 1, then 2, or 1 is more important than 2). Do not number if no such order is intended. In lists that are run together in the text and number more than three, use numbered phrases. Set numbers in parentheses without periods.

(1) etc., (2) etc., (3) etc., and (4) etc. then (a) etc., (b) etc., (c) etc., and (d) etc.

When items are indented without numbers, begin each new entry with a bullet, set flush left. When they are indented with numbers, the list is laid out the same way, but the bullet is replaced with a numeral and period.

1. etc.; 2. etc.; 3. etc.; and 4. etc.

Double-check alphabetical lists for correct order.

fractions and ratios

Hyphenate fractions:

A one-third share is sufficient. She filed one-third of the cards.

Ratios may be given with numerals and a colon:

a 1:2 ratio

mathematical symbols

Close up spaces around mathematical symbols such as equal signs and less than or greater than symbols.

n=243 p <0.05

measurements and dimensions

Spelling out measurements is preferred; when abbreviations are necessary, set them without periods.

20 km 30 ft

Spell out whole numbers. Use numerals with a multiplication symbol (×) in fractions.

three-by-five cards 2½ × 6-inch cards

Use the numeric form.

For currencies other than the US dollar, use the following formats.

$36.50 CAD for Canadian dollars (spell out “Canadian dollars (CAD)” the first time it appears) £37.50 for British pounds €42.75 for euros

other well-known currencies

37.50 Sw. fr. (figure followed by appropriate abbreviation)

lesser-known currencies

95 Haitian gourdes (figure followed by full name of currency)

Use (n=) with the “n” lowercase.

Use a comma in numbers higher than 999, with the exception of page numbers and years. Abbreviate “number” as “no.” when necessary or permitted. Always use the numeric form of numbers with decimal places. For numbers less than one, use a zero preceding the decimal point.

In the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA), formerly the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association , text, spell out ordinal numbers less than 100:

third tenth forty-second 103rd 1,912th

In the text of MLAConnect articles, on MLANET, in monographs, and in other publications, abbreviate ordinals greater than nine. Spell out whole numbers in all publications’ text through ninety-nine:

one through 999,999 one million 101 million

In MLANET “Find a Job” ads, all numbers are represented in numeric form.

Spell out and hyphenate fractions.

If any number in a paragraph requires numerals rather than spelled out numbers, (higher than one hundred, decimal, percentage, money, etc., excepting dates), set all the numbers in numerals.

The library in Johnson City received 124 loan requests during a 1-year period. The library in Smithfield, however, received 19 loan requests, and the library in Morgantown only 12.

Do not begin a sentence with a numeral. Write out the number in full, or recast the sentence.

Provide both numbers (n) and percents where applicable when reporting data.

(n=74, 56%)

If the denominator changes frequently, it is useful to present numbers as n=74/258; 29% unless the denominator is noted in the text.

Of 258 respondents, 74 (29%) indicated...

See also “abbreviations: when to use them” in the Abbreviations section.

percentages

In text, use numerals and “%.” Spell out the numeral and the word only if they begin the sentence. Where the percentage is less than 1%, add a decimal point and a zero.

89% One hundred percent of the students were in attendance. 0.7%

The following are a few common statistical terms; set them as indicated. Text should be used rather than symbols, except for statistics or formulas.

Do not use ditto marks (") for repeated items; supply the numbers. Provide numbers (n), with percentages (where applicable) in the next column in parentheses. Use an em dash to indicate entries that are not supplied or are irrelevant; use a zero to indicate that a particular universe has none of the items in question. Do not use “0%”; that is mathematically impossible. If both real numbers and percentages happen to be zero, give just the real number and no percentage.

In running text, refer to each table by Arabic numeral. Do not use “see”:

Students preferred electronic reserves to print reserves (Table 1).

See also “figures (illustrations)” in the Miscellaneous section.

telephone numbers

Use the following format:

312.419.9094 x743

Spell out the time of day in text for JMLA .

At seven o'clock, the family rose.

If an exact moment is emphasized, use numerals.

At 7:35 a.m., the family rose.

Always use numerals when “a.m.” or “p.m.” are used.

At 7:00 a.m., the family rose.

Set “a.m.” and “p.m.” close, with periods. Use time zones following a comma, lowercase.

The chapter meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m., central time.

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Rules for Writing out Numbers

Reviewing the Rules

  • Writing Essays
  • Writing Research Papers
  • English Grammar
  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Why do so many people find it difficult to remember the rules for using numbers in formal writing ? Probably because the rules seem a little fuzzy sometimes.

So what can you do? It's no mystery: as with anything, read and study the rules several times, and it will all seem natural, eventually.

Writing Numbers One through Ten

Spell out numbers one through ten, as in this example:

  • My little brother ate four apples before dinner and became ill.
  • Why do parents always check to see if babies have ten toes?

Writing Numbers Above Ten

Spell out numbers above ten, unless writing the number would involve using more than two words. For example:

  • I have sixty-three dead bugs in my collection.
  • My cousin has 207 bugs in his.
  • This site has given me a thousand helpful hints for my homework.
  • My grandmother is seventy-two today.
  • My little sister had about 4,763 measles on her face.

Always Spell Out Numbers that Begin Sentences

It would look odd to begin a sentence with a numeral.

  • Four hundred fifty people attended the birthday party.

However, you should try to avoid using long, clunky numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Instead of writing that four hundred and fifty people attended a party, you could re-write:

  • There were 450 people at the party.

Dates, Phone Numbers, and Time

Use numbers for dates:

  • My birthday is on March 16.
  • He was born on Valentines Day, 1975.

And use numbers for phone numbers:

  • The phone number for the school is 800-555-6262
  • The international code for England is 44.

And use numbers for telling time if using a.m. or p.m.:

  • The alarm will sound at 7 p.m.
  • I make my bed at 7 a.m. each morning.

But spell out times when using "o'clock" or when the a.m. or p.m. are omitted:

  • The alarm will sound at seven o'clock.
  • I make my bed at seven each morning.
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MLA Style Guide

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Using Numbers in an Essay

Spell out numbers that can be expressed in either one or two words.  

  •   one million
  •   ninety-nine
  •   one hundred
  •   fifteen hundred

Always spell out the number if a sentence begins with a number.

Example: Two thousand twelve was an election year in the United States.

When Should I Use Numerals?

Use numerals if you are writing an essay about a scientific subject or an essay that includes frequent use of numbers, like statistical findings. 

Always use numerals:

  •  in front of units of measurements. Example : 5 millimeters
  •  with abbreviations such as 6 lbs., 4:20 p.m., $9, 2”, 4%.
  •  in dates: Example: April 1, 2014
  •  in decimal fractions: Example: 9.2

Exceptions:  

  • For large numbers, you may use a combination of numerals and words. Example: 4.5 million
  • In general use numerals with % signs, however, you may spell out percentages or amounts of money if you can do so in three words or less. Example: five dollars, forty-five percent, sixty-eight cents.
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  • Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023 11:33 AM
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A Quick Guide to Numbers in MLA Style

A Quick Guide to Numbers in MLA Style

  • Nov 05, 2020
  • Academic Editing
  • Proofreading Tips
  • Referencing and Citations

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Your client might not know all the details of MLA style. As an academic proofreader, then, your work may involve checking that documents follow MLA conventions. Thus, in this post, we’re looking at how to present numbers in academic writing according to MLA style.

Numbers in MLA: Numerals or Words?

MLA style sets out two approaches to numbers. In writing that involves few numbers , the MLA Handbook advises spelling out numbers that can be written as one or two words:

o ne, thirty-six, ninety-nine, one hundred, three million

It also says that plurals of spelled-out numbers should be treated as nouns:

fives, thirties

Other numbers, however, should be presented as numerals:

5¾, 305, 643, 2,798

For writing that uses numbers frequently , meanwhile, the MLA advises:

  • Using numerals with units of measurement (e.g., 55 inches , 800 grams ) and other numbers presented alongside them (e.g., comparisons or reports of experimental data).
  • Expressing larger numbers as a mix of numerals and words (e.g., 7 million , 1.4 billion ).
  • Other numbers should be spelled out if they can be written as one or two words.

In both approaches, the MLA also advises using numerals for:

  • Numbers used with abbreviations or symbols (e.g., 8lbs. , 6:00am , $7.90 ).
  • Addresses (e.g., 635 New Street , 81 5 th Street ).
  • Items in a numbered series (e.g., Year 5 , chapter 3 , volume 4 ).
  • Dates (e.g., September 10, 2020 , August 5, 1996 ).
  • Decimal fractions (e.g., 5.6 , 3.142 ).

In addition, in both styles, numbers should be spelled out at the start of a sentence (or the sentence should be rephrased to avoid starting with a number). When proofreading, then, make sure the guidelines above are applied consistently according to the document type.

Commas in Numbers

MLA style recommends placing a comma after every third digit in large numbers. For example:

However, commas are not used in page and line numbers , addresses , or four-digit years .

Page Ranges in MLA Style

For a range of page numbers in a citation or the Works Cited list, the MLA says to write the second value in the range in full for numbers up to 99. For example:

For larger numbers, though, only the last two digits of the second number should be given. The exception is when more are necessary for clarity:

The rules for years are a little different. If a range of years begins AD 1000 or later, MLA says to omit the first two digits of the second year if they are the same as the first two digits of the first year. Otherwise, though, you should make sure both years are written in full:

If the years discussed fall between AD 1 and 999, though, follow the general rules for inclusive numbers. And make sure ranges of years that begin before AD 1 are written in full.

Punctuating Number Ranges

In published work, MLA follows the convention of using an en dash for number ranges:

She spent her most productive period (1907 –1912) in Amsterdam.

However, for simplicity, MLA also permits a hyphen for number ranges in student writing:

She spent her most productive period (1907- 1912) in Amsterdam.

If you’re proofreading student work, then, there is no need to replace hyphens in number ranges. You can simply check that ranges are punctuated consistently.

Roman Numerals

Finally, the MLA Handbook also has a few rules for using Roman numerals :

  • Capitalized Roman numerals are used for the primary divisions in an essay or book outline and as suffixes for the names of persons (e.g., Part I , Henry VII ).
  • Lowercase Roman numerals are only used when citing pages that are so numbered (e.g., in the preface or introduction of a book), with ranges written out in full (e.g., xxv –xxviii , iv –xii ).

If you see Roman numerals in a document, make sure they follow these conventions.

Becoming A Proofreader

Here, we’ve seen what to look out for when proofreading numbers in a document that uses MLA style. But you can learn all about style guides, formatting, and proofreading in general with our Becoming A Proofreader course! Sign up for a free trial today to find out more.

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How to Write Out Numbers in MLA Format

The Modern Language Association established their documentation format in order to create consistency among papers and publications focused on language and literature. Following those standards throughout your paper not only with citations, but also for other elements of format such as the use of numbers, constructs an easy-to-read document that shows your attention to detail.

According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (Seventh edition), for most MLA style papers, spell out numbers written in one or two words such as "two" or "three hundred." If you begin a sentence with a number, spell it out, even if it is a date or other number that uses more than two words. When using large numbers, as long as they do not start the sentence, you can use a combination of numerals and words, such as "3.6 billion." Write out spans of time such as "sixteenth century."

Use numerals for large numbers that do not allow for a smooth combination of numbers and words, such as "151." In papers that rely heavily on numbers, focusing on mathematical or scientific concepts or containing many statistics, use numerals before measurement terms, such as "3 centimeters" and data comparisons such as "the scores rose from 7 to 12." Use numbers to represent amounts of money, in addresses, with symbols such as "%" and "lb.," in decimal representations and for specific dates.

Use the same structure for all portions of ideas that demonstrate a comparative relationship, such as "4 of the 310 members." Use commas between every three digits from the right in large numerals ("1,000" and "352,000,000"). Type symbols such as "$" for money amounts and percentages in MLA. Use consistent order for information in dates: day-month-year with no punctuation (12 January 1990) or day-month-year with a comma after the day and another after the year unless the date appears at the end of a sentence (January 12, 1990).

  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition); Modern Language Association; 2009

Kristie Sweet has been writing professionally since 1982, most recently publishing for various websites on topics like health and wellness, and education. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Northern Colorado.

When referring to a person’s age, do I use numerals or words?

To decide whether to use numerals or words to refer to a person’s age, follow the advice in sections 2.127 and 2.128 of the MLA Handbook .

In discussions where few numbers appear, spell out ages that can be written in a word or two (2.127). For example:

Johanna came to the United States from Germany in 2011, when she was twenty-eight years old. After living on the East Coast for nearly a decade, she moved to Los Angeles when she was thirty-seven. Marcia took a cruise to celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday.

Use numerals for ages when more than two words would be needed to spell out the age (2.127):

Born in 1922, Wallace will be 101 in October. The world’s oldest tortoise is 190 years old.

Use numerals for all numbers, including ages, in discussions where numbers appear frequently (2.128). For instance:

Students who completed the survey ranged in age from 12 to 21. Approximately 50% of those surveyed were between the ages of 14 and 19, roughly 30% were 19 or older, and just under 20% were 13 or younger.

MLA Handbook . 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.  MLA Handbook Plus , 2021, mlahandbookplus.org/.

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COMMENTS

  1. When to Spell Out Numbers in Writing: Guide and Examples

    A simple rule for using numbers in writing is that small numbers ranging from one to ten (or one to nine, depending on the style guide) should generally be spelled out. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals. For example, instead of writing "It cost ten-thousand four-hundred and sixteen dollars to renovate the local library ...

  2. Rules for Writing Numbers

    The simplest way to express large numbers is usually best. Example: twenty-three hundred (simpler than two thousand three hundred) Large round numbers are often spelled out, but be consistent within a sentence. Consistent: You can earn from one million to five million dollars. Inconsistent: You can earn from one million dollars to 5 million ...

  3. When to Spell Out Numbers According to Different Style Guides

    Level Up Your Team. See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Different editorial style manuals have different rules for when to spell out numbers instead of using numerals. Here are a few examples of when to spell out numbers, and when to use numerals.

  4. APA Style Guidelines for Numbers

    Revised on July 23, 2023. Numbers can be written either as words (e.g., one hundred) or numerals (e.g., 100). In this article we follow the guidelines of APA Style, one of the most common style guides used in academic writing. In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards.

  5. Numbers: Writing Numbers

    Repeat numbers in commercial writing. The bill will not exceed one hundred (100) dollars. Use numerals in legal writing. The cost of damage is $1,365.42. Numbers in series and statistics should be consistent. two apples, six oranges, and three bananas. NOT: two apples, 6 oranges, and 3 bananas. 115 feet by 90 feet (or) 115' x 90'.

  6. When Do I Spell Out Numbers? (Grammar Rules)

    There are several rules of thought on how to handle writing numbers, but the most common is pretty simple. Spell out numbers under 10 (zero through nine), and use the numeric symbols for numbers 10 and up. I bought eight candy bars from the vending machine. I average eating 29 candy bars per month. There are some exceptions to the rule.

  7. When to Write Out Numbers: What Chicago, APA, and MLA Say About

    The most generally accepted rules for writing out numbers in non-scientific and non-technical contexts are as follows: Spell out all numbers between zero and ten. When numbers are used to start a sentence, they should always be spelled out. Example: Twenty-four thousand applications were submitted in 2018.

  8. Writing Numbers—A Quick Guide

    But if you want advice on writing numbers, you can keep the following general guidelines in mind. 1. Numbers "0-10" should be written with words. Anything higher should be written in digits. One major guideline many writers follow is to write numbers "0-10" (sometimes "0-9" or "0-12") in words and numbers that are higher in ...

  9. Numbers

    Numbers. Numbers are used in all sorts of scholarly works. For example, writers may report numerical information about participants (number of participants, demographic information such as age, etc.) as well as the results of statistical analyses. Even writers who are not conducting empirical research often use statistical information to ...

  10. Numbers expressed in numerals

    Numbers Expressed in Numerals. In general, use numerals to express numbers 10 and above, and use words to express numbers zero through nine. there were 15 psychologists at the clinic. the study had 40 participants. students were in the third, sixth, eighth, 10th, and 12th grades. However, there are exceptions to this general guideline for ...

  11. Numbers and Statistics

    Numbers. Generally, you can spell out numbers below 10 in words (seven, three), and use numerals for anything 10 and higher (10, 42). You should use Arabic numerals (1, 7) instead of Roman numerals (II, XI) unless the Roman numerals are part of established terminology in your field. In numbers greater than 1,000, use commas to separate groups ...

  12. In an essay, when do you spell out numbers and when do you use numerals

    According to APA Style, you should normally use numerals for the numbers 10 and above. You should use words to express numbers below 10 (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine). Note, however, that APA lists a wide variety of exceptions. For instance, numbers that appear right before a unit of measurement should be expressed ...

  13. 10 Rules for Writing Numbers and Numerals

    If you're using the exact number, you'd write it out, of course. 9. Two numbers next to each other. It can be confusing if you write "7 13-year-olds", so write one of them as a numeral, like "seven 13-year-olds". Pick the number that has the fewest letters. 10. Ordinal numbers and consistency.

  14. MLA : Publications : MLA Style Manual: Numbers and Dates

    Do not begin a sentence with a numeral. Write out the number in full, or recast the sentence. Provide both numbers (n) and percents where applicable when reporting data. (n=74, 56%) If the denominator changes frequently, it is useful to present numbers as n=74/258; 29% unless the denominator is noted in the text.

  15. When to Write out Numbers—Using The Chicago Manual of Style—As

    In other words,write volume numbers in digits. Don't spell out numbers (and do spell out "percent") when expressing a percentage: More than 38 percent of VIP guests spend more than $5,000 annually. You wouldn't write "38%" or "thirty-eight percent" in a sentence. "Decades are either expressed in numerals or spelled out (as ...

  16. Rules for Writing out Numbers

    Always Spell Out Numbers that Begin Sentences. It would look odd to begin a sentence with a numeral. Four hundred fifty people attended the birthday party. However, you should try to avoid using long, clunky numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Instead of writing that four hundred and fifty people attended a party, you could re-write:

  17. Using Numbers

    Use numerals if you are writing an essay about a scientific subject or an essay that includes frequent use of numbers, like statistical findings. Always use numerals: in front of units of measurements. Example: 5 millimeters; with abbreviations such as 6 lbs., 4:20 p.m., $9, 2", 4%. in dates: Example: April 1, 2014; in decimal fractions ...

  18. PDF Numbers in academic writing

    Write in words one or two-word numbers, rounded numbers and ordinal numbers For general academic writing, you need to write these numbers in words: all numbers under one hundred (e.g. ninety-nine) rounded numbers (e.g. four hundred, two thousand, six million) and ordinal numbers (e.g. third, twenty-fifth). Exceptions: See 3.

  19. A Quick Guide to Numbers in MLA Style

    102-07. 88-116. 2,788-856. The rules for years are a little different. If a range of years begins AD 1000 or later, MLA says to omit the first two digits of the second year if they are the same as the first two digits of the first year. Otherwise, though, you should make sure both years are written in full: 1900-07.

  20. How to Write Out Numbers in MLA Format

    According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (Seventh edition), for most MLA style papers, spell out numbers written in one or two words such as "two" or "three hundred." If you begin a sentence with a number, spell it out, even if it is a date or other number that uses more than two words. When using large numbers, as long as ...

  21. Numbers in APA

    Here are a few more rules concerning numbers to adhere to as you follow APA style: If you are using two modifiers against a noun, use a combination of both numerals and words. Three 5-point scales. If you're unsure which modifier to write and which to express numerically, try it both ways.

  22. When referring to a person's age, do I use numerals or words?

    Marcia took a cruise to celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday. Use numerals for ages when more than two words would be needed to spell out the age (2.127): Born in 1922, Wallace will be 101 in October. The world's oldest tortoise is 190 years old. Use numerals for all numbers, including ages, in discussions where numbers appear frequently (2.128).

  23. Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

    Mission. The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives.