M4-a Spell out select types of numbers in most nonscientific college writing.
Printed Page H-77
Spell out whole numbers one through ninety-nine.
Note: Depending on the type of writing that you do and the conventions of your field, you may decide to spell out only numerals up to ten. Choose a rule and follow it consistently.
If two numbers occur in succession, use a combination of spelled-out words and numerals for clarity.
| eight 45-cent stamps | ten 3-year-olds |
Spell out a number that begins a sentence, or rewrite so that the number is no longer the first word.
Printed Page H-78
Spell out very large round numbers, or use a combination of numerals and words.
| 3.5 million dollars or $3.5 million | nearly 14 million |
| five thousand | a billion |