When to Write Out Numbers in English Writing

One of the most common sources of discussion amongst writers and editors is when should one write out numbers in the whole, and when should one just use numerals.

This is most often an issue with regard to academic writing, although it comes up often enough in fiction writing too. If you are writing a journal article or dissertation then be sure to check with your relevant style guide for their exact rules. Many require everything to be written out whole, while others require everything in numerals, and yet another has strict rules regarding what numbers are written out and which are to be written in numerals.

There are some general rules, however, which can be followed as a default. They are also useful for fiction writing too.

The first is to always be consistent, if you are going to use numerals, use them throughout. Don't chop and change between numerals and written numbers, unless specified by your style guide, of course.

Generally speaking, dates are always written using numerals. For example:

He was born June 10th, 1967.

The book was published in 1987.

The exception being when you are referring to centuries or specific eras. For example:

It was the fashion of the nineties.

In the late nineteenth century, it was commonplace to have a private income.

Furthermore, if you can write the number out in two words or less then you write it out. For example:

There were ninety people in the class.

Out of sixty three people, only he was chosen.

There were a hundred and thirty people in his cohort.

If it would take more than three words, the number is written using numerals. For example:

There were 265 people in the audience.

When a number uses a decimal point, or refers to amounts, the number is typically written using numerals. This includes currency. For example:

The dress cost $40.50 at the shop, but I got it for $20.30 at the market.

The baby was born weighing 7.4 pounds.

Identification numbers are also written using numerals. For example:

He stayed in room 4.

Henry VIII had six wives.

Page numbers are also written using numerals:

The sentence you are looking for is on Page 50.

As are numbers in addresses:

I live at 40 MacIntyre St.

Time is a bit more difficult. Sometimes the numbers are written out, while others use numerals. Generally speaking, twenty-four hour time uses numerals, while analogue time doesn't - but there are of course exceptions. These are depending upon the style-guide and how exact you want to be. For example:

Dinner will be served at half-past seven.

The train will arrive at 1900.

The post arrived at exactly 7.34pm.

There are other rules to observe to. Again, always be sure to check with your relevant style guide - but here are some more general observations.

Always write out the number at the start of a sentence. For example:

Forty per cent of the class failed the exam.

In other contexts, percentages are written using numerals. As are other statistics. For example:

The class average was 67 per cent.

The average age was 17.5 years old.

These are of course general rules, and you should always check with your academic style guide and/or publisher to be truly sure as to when and how to write numbers. This is why editing can be so very useful, to ensure every single number is expressed correctly and consistently.

Character Creation - The Most Interesting Fictional Characters Of All

The success and the longevity of a great novel does not lie entirely in the hands of its hero. Many of my favourite novels come with a surprise gift - the character who is most interesting of all, who is not the main protagonist. This is the character you wonder about later, the character that seems to step outside the story and comment on it, or the one whose dilemma is never really solved by the outcome of the plot. This character may be the one who highlights the theme by negating it.

Here are three strong examples:

1) Mr Bennett in Pride and Prejudice

Mr Bennett is the character around whom the story problem - the Entailment - is centred. Mr Bennett is the one who could have seen the family crisis coming, and who, as the head of the family, had the power to avert it - Lydia's elopement, which threatened to ruin the family. Mr Bennett is the one who allows himself the luxury of standing outside the story and commenting flippantly on it, as if the fate of his family had never hung on the decisions he made. In the end, the family is saved, by good fortune operating through the characters of Lizzie and Darcy - and not by Mr Bennett fulfiling his duty. And yet he says, And so Darcy did everything... I shall offer to pay him tomorrow; he will rant and storm, about his love for you, and there will be an end to the matter. And near the end we have Mr Bennett'e delicious irony in this remark to Lizzie: I admire all my three sons-in-law highly. Wickham, perhaps is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.

2) Gollum in The Lord of the Rings

I find Gollum as a character no simple villain, but heartrending. He is the one who lingers with you for a long time afterwards. He is the one some of us in our most honest moments may be able to relate to. Gollum started out an ordinary human being, but became consumed by his lust for the Ring. Thereafter, it is as if he has given over all his power to the very worst in himself. And yet he is offered redemption, by Frodo. Frodo uses his human name, Smeagol, to try and recall Gollum to a sense of who he once was. He demonstrates trust to Gollum. This indicates Gollum can be redeemed if he chooses. And there are moments when he comes close, moments when we pity him so much, and long for him to be redeemed. Yet Gollum's final choice, to grasp the Ring, brings about his own destruction, and that of the Ring itself.

3) Mr Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Mr Tumnus the Fawn is the character I think of first whenever I think of The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe. Loveable, pure, innocent, representing the natural world, the first inhabitant of Narnia whom Lucy meets, who offers her hospitality and friendship - yet it is Mr Tumnus who is prevailed upon to spy for the White Witch, and first alerts her to the presence in Narnia of a Daughter of Eve. And Mr Tumnus suffers for it. But ultimately he is redeemed.

So I hope these examples serve to demonstrate how your main character will not carry the full weight of the novel's success. And when your hero stands up to receive the accolades, he can truly say, "I would never have done this without..." and then he can credit his supporting team - and among them, the most interesting character of all.

SC Skillman

SC Skillman is the author of mystery romance novel "Mystical Circles" in which Juliet, concerned that her younger sister has fallen for the charismatic Craig, leader of a dubious New Age spiritual group, sets off for the Cotswolds to see the situation for herself. She arrives at Craig's community hoping to rescue Zoe. But intrigues, liaisons and relationships flare and flourish or fizzle out quickly within this close circle and, despite her reservations, Juliet is drawn into the Wheel of Love... with completely unforeseen consequences.