Number Style Word Or Figure Name: Which To Use

Number Style Word Or Figurename Whether To Use W

Number Style: Word or Figure? Name ________________ Whether to use words or figures to express numbers is governed by convention. That is, we follow customary techniques or rules. Here is a summary of frequently used number rules:

· General rules. Use words for numbers one through ten. (We have ten computers and three printers. She travels 30,000 miles each year.)

· Money. Use figures. (Her ticket cost $699.55, and her luggage fee was $20 more.)

· Beginning of sentence. Never start a sentence with a figure. (Twenty-three people applied.)

· Dates. Use figures when the day follows the month (May 5). Do not add the ordinals th, nd, rd unless the day precedes the month (fifth of May) or stands alone (on the fifth).

· Clock time. Use figures when clock time is expressed with a.m. or p.m. (at 9 a.m.). Use either words or figures when clock time is expressed with o’clock (at one o’clock or at 1 o’clock).

· Periods of time. Follow general rules (a three-month leave for 90 days).

· Business terms. Use figures for interest rates, contracts, warranty periods (2 percent, 6-month rental agreement).

· Addresses. Use figures for all house numbers (3450 Main Street) except the number One. Use words and ordinals for street names ten and under (Fifth Avenue, 17th Street).

Revise the following sentences to correct number style:

1. After sending out twenty-five résumés, Amanda was delighted to have 3 job interviews.
2. She prepared her résumé in about 10 hours and spent 35 dollars on paper and copying.
3. Her first interview was scheduled for June 18th at eleven a.m. in the morning.
4. The address for 1 interview was 4821 Thirteenth Avenue.
5. During a 4-week period, she talked with at least fifteen interviewers and managers.
6. 2 or 3 interviewers at each company questioned her for about twenty minutes.
7. A well-known company offered her thirty thousand dollars as a starting salary, but she was hoping for forty thousand.
8. One job candidate spent 3 hundred dollars on a new wardrobe and traveled fifteen hundred miles to a promising interview.
9. That candidate received 2 offers on the 15th of the month, but he asked for 7 days to decide.
10. He graduated with sixty thousand dollars in student loans at a five percent interest rate.
11. His best interview was at 1 Rockefeller Plaza, which is just off of 5th Avenue.
12. He had only three dollars in his pocket, but a taxi ride would cost at least 15 dollars.
13. Eager candidates submit their résumés to 1 hundred or more companies.
14. He was asked to make a decision before one p.m. on the twenty-third of December.
15. It took him only 1 hour to return the 3-page employment contract.

Paper For Above instruction

Proper Number Formatting and Style in Business Communication

Effective business communication requires adherence to specific stylistic rules, especially when expressing numbers. Proper formatting not only enhances clarity but also maintains professionalism across various contexts. This paper discusses the conventions for writing numbers in business writing, illustrating the application through corrections of common errors, and emphasizing the importance of consistent style.

General rules for numbers stipulate that numbers from one through ten should generally be written in words, while higher numbers are expressed as numerals. For example, in business documents, it is recommended to write "three printers" instead of "3 printers." However, specific contexts like financial figures, measurements, or technical data often require numerals for clarity, such as "$699.55" or "30,000 miles." It is crucial to recognize that these guidelines serve as standards but may vary depending on organizational style guides or specific professional protocols.

One common area where errors occur is in the use of numerals at the beginning of sentences. To avoid confusion and maintain professionalism, it's advisable to spell out numbers when they start a sentence—"Twenty-three people applied" rather than "23 people applied." Additionally, dates should follow a consistent format: use numerals when the day follows the month, as in "May 5," but spell out the day when it precedes or stands alone, such as "fifth of May" or "on the fifth."

Time expressions must also adhere to specific conventions. For clock time, numerals are standard when using "a.m." or "p.m."—"at 9 a.m." Conversely, when indication is with words like "o’clock," both "at one o’clock" or "at 1 o’clock" are acceptable and stylistically correct. Periods of time, including durations and deadlines, should follow these same rules, for instance, "a three-month leave" or "90 days."

Business and technical terms, particularly those involving measurements and rates, rely heavily on numerals for precision and readability. Examples include "2 percent interest rate" or "6-month rental agreement." When referencing addresses, numerals are used for house numbers—such as "3450 Main Street"—but ordinal words are recommended for street names containing numbers from ten and under, like "Fifth Avenue" or "17th Street."

Applying these principles, the original sentences can be revised as follows:

• After sending out twenty-five résumés, Amanda was delighted to have three job interviews.
• She prepared her résumé in about ten hours and spent thirty-five dollars on paper and copying.
• Her first interview was scheduled for June 18th at eleven a.m.
• The address for one interview was 4821 Thirteenth Avenue.
• During a four-week period, she talked with at least fifteen interviewers and managers.
• Two or three interviewers at each company questioned her for about twenty minutes.
• A well-known company offered her thirty thousand dollars as a starting salary, but she was hoping for forty thousand.
• One job candidate spent three hundred dollars on a new wardrobe and traveled fifteen hundred miles to a promising interview.
• That candidate received two offers on the fifteenth of the month, but he asked for a week to decide.
• He graduated with sixty thousand dollars in student loans at a five percent interest rate.
• His best interview was at 1 Rockefeller Plaza, just off Fifth Avenue.
• He had only three dollars in his pocket, but a taxi ride would cost at least fifteen dollars.
• Eager candidates submit their résumés to one hundred or more companies.
• He was asked to make a decision before 1 p.m. on December twenty-third.
• It took him only one hour to return the three-page employment contract.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adherence to proper number formatting rules in business English enhances clarity and reflects professionalism. By following conventions—such as spelling out numbers one through ten, using numerals for financial figures, addresses, dates, and times—business communicators can ensure their messages are both clear and polished. Consistent application of these rules across documents fosters credibility and effective communication in the professional environment.

References

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