Numbers and Dates
Writing numbers and dates correctly is essential for clear, professional, and unambiguous communication. While the rules can vary slightly between style guides, following general conventions will make your writing much easier to read and understand.
Writing Numbers: Words vs. Numerals
One of the most common questions is when to write a number as a word (e.g., "ten") versus a numeral (e.g., "10"). While style guides vary, a widely accepted convention helps maintain clarity and consistency.
The General Rule
Most style guides recommend writing out numbers from one to ten as words, and using numerals for numbers 11 and higher. This approach keeps sentences looking clean and readable without overwhelming the text with digits.
- Example: "She has three cats and 12 books."
Exceptions to the Rule
- Beginning a Sentence: Always spell out a number that begins a sentence.
Example: "Fifteen students attended the workshop." - Consistency in a Series: If you have a list of related numbers and one is above ten, use numerals for all of them to maintain consistency.
Example: "The children were ages 5, 8, and 13." - Specific Measurements: Always use numerals for precise figures like ages, dates, times, measurements, scores, and money to ensure clarity.
Example: "The meeting is at 3:00 p.m.", "The recipe requires 2 cups of flour.", "He is 25 years old."
Writing Dates
Formatting dates correctly is crucial for clear communication, but conventions can differ based on region.
Regional Formats
- American English (Month-Day-Year): "The event is on January 15, 2025."
- British English (Day-Month-Year): "The event is on 15 January 2025." (Note the lack of a comma).
Commas in Dates
In American English, use a comma after the day and after the year if the sentence continues.
Example: "On August 22, 1999, a new star was born."
Decades and Centuries
Decades can be written in words or numerals. Do not use an apostrophe between the number and the "s."
- Example: "The 1990s were a time of great change." or "the nineties."
- Incorrect: "the 1990's."
Prepositions with Time and Dates
Choosing the correct preposition is essential.
| Preposition | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| On | For specific days and dates. | on Monday, on July 4th |
| In | For longer periods like months, years, and seasons. | in August, in 2023, in the summer |
| At | For specific times of the day. | at 5:00 p.m., at midnight |
Key Takeaways
- Follow a consistent rule for writing numbers (e.g., words for one through ten, numerals for 11+), but be flexible for clarity.
- Always write out a number that begins a sentence.
- Use numerals for specific measurements, scores, ages, and times to ensure precision.
- Be aware of regional differences in date formats (Month-Day-Year vs. Day-Month-Year) and use commas correctly.
- Use the prepositions "on" for specific days, "in" for months/years, and "at" for specific times.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.