Page:Handbook of style in use at the Riverside press, Cambridge, Massachusetts (IA handbookofstylei00riverich).pdf/27

 THE USE OF FIGURES

Spell out, in ordinary reading matter, all round numbers and numbers of less than three digits, unless of a statistical or technical character, and unless occurring in groups of six or more, following one another in close succession. Treat all numbers in connected groups alike: if the largest contains three or more digits, use figures for all.

Spell out words to express ages; as, The school ages are from five to eighteen.

Spell out numbers of centuries, of sessions of Congress, of political divisions, of streets, avenues, etc., and references to particular decades, unless the saving of space is essential; as, eighteenth century; seventeenth-century writers; Second Dynasty; Sixty-first Congress, First Session; Second Congressional District; Eighth Ward; Fifty-ninth Street and Ninth Avenue; in the early eighties.

Spell out numbers of army corps, divisions, brigades; use figures for regiments; as, Sixth Corps, First Division, Second Brigade, 41st Massachusetts, 2d Cavalry, 1st Battalion. But where only an isolated reference is made to one or more regiments, and the corps or divisions are not mentioned, the spelled-out form is proper; as, The Seventh New York Regiment; the Twentieth Ohio.

Sums of money, occurring in isolated cases in ordinary reading matter, should be spelled out; as, The admission was two dollars. Where several such numbers occur close together, and in all matter of a statistical character, use figures; as, Admission: Men, $2; women, $1; children, 25 cents.

The time of day is best spelled out when it occurs in ordinary reading matter; as, at four; at half-past two in the afternoon; at seven o’clock. In statistical matter, in enumeration, and always in connection with am. and p.m., use figures; as, at 4.15 P.M. (omit “o’clock” in such cases).

All numbers that begin a sentence in ordinary reading matter should be spelled out; if this is impracticable, the sentence itself should be reconstructed.