The use of Numbers in writing

[Brayon]

I've been trying to find some information on this, but my Google-fu is seriously lacking. When writing a story, when is the use of numbers more favorable, than to spell them out?

 

Example: "I've lived here twenty years." vs. "I've lived here 20 years."

 

I've seen it and used it myself, both ways. Sometimes within the same document. Any help would be appreciated.

[FormerMember4]

 In college, I learned that either way was appropriate in writing class. However, if writing for professional reasons. Spelling out is preferred. 

[Ron]

The Chicago Manual of Style advises that when using numbers in a nontechnical context whole numbers from zero to one hundred be spelled out. Any of those whole numbers followed by hundred, thousand, or hundred thousand are usually spelled out, again when used in nontechnical contexts. When a number begins a sentence it is always spelled out.

[AK79]

3 hours ago, BHopper2 said:

I've been trying to find some information on this, but my Google-fu is seriously lacking. When writing a story, when is the use of numbers more favorable, than to spell them out?

 

Example: "I've lived here twenty years." vs. "I've lived here 20 years."

 

I've seen it and used it myself, both ways. Sometimes within the same document. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I would say that it depends on context.  In your example both are correct, but if I was writing it I would use "I've lived here for twenty years." over using the number 20. In general, if I'm not writing something technical (which means I'm writing--I don't think I've written a technical paper since I left school) I write out numbers. However, I prefer using the numbers for years rather than writing them out.

 

Example:  "Mother and I moved to this house in 1997."  over  "Mother and I moved to this house in nineteen hundred and ninety-seven."

[Drew Espinosa]

2 minutes ago, AK79 said:

"Mother and I moved to this house in nineteen hundred and ninety-seven."

Does the "and" need to be in there? I was taught to not use that word when writing out numbers.

[AK79]

Just now, Drew Espinosa said:

Does the "and" need to be in there? I was taught to not use that word when writing out numbers.

 

Probably not.  I put it in there because if I was to say that sentence the 'and' would be there. I would have to consult a style guide to be absolutely sure. Which is why I prefer to write years and dates with numerals rather than spelling them out.  It makes it clear that it is a date.

 

EX:  "Christmas Day is December 25th." over "Christmas Day is December twenty-fifth."

EX2:  "Sid graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 2007."  over  "Sid graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in two thousand seven."

 

Both are correct, but one is clearly a date while the other is more ambiguous.

 

As to the word 'and' between numbers, I was taught that it implied addition.

 

EX:  "Two and two are four," John said.

 

In that example John is saying 2 + 2 = 4.  In the case of my previous example the 'and' implies the addition of 97 to 1900 which would render 1997.

[Ron]

Chicago Manual of Style:

 

Years are expressed in numerals except at the beginning of a sentence but rewording the sentence is a better option.

 

The word and should not be included, ever.

 

Edit to add: When specific dates are expressed - May 1, 2017 - they can lead a sentence but may be pronounced as ordinal numbers.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Ron

[Valkyrie]

Cia did a Grammar Rodeo blog post last year that addresses numbers: 

 

 

[Brayon]

Thank you, everyone. Answered my question perfectly. @Valkyrie Thanks for pointing out that Blog post.

[Carlos Hazday]

@BHopper2

 

I've shared this before but I think it'll answer many of your questions. I refer to it now and then even though by now I think I've memorized the damn thing!

 

http://theeditorsblog.net/2013/01/13/numbers-in-fiction/

[Brayon]

@Carlos Hazday Thanks! I'll check it out in a few.

[AK79]

@Carlos Hazday Thanks that blog is a really great resource.

[Mikiesboy]

2 hours ago, Carlos Hazday said:

@BHopper2

 

I've shared this before but I think it'll answer many of your questions. I refer to it now and then even though by now I think I've memorized the damn thing!

 

http://theeditorsblog.net/2013/01/13/numbers-in-fiction/

i love that place.. it's a great resource!!

[Palantir]

I learnt recently that (in Aus) the standard is to use words up to one hundred and numbers from then on - except when using units of any kind eg 2 inches, 5 metres, 54 kg.