In narrative I just treat numbers as numbers -- the way I would in a novel or other written work, i.e. generally spell out numbers one through nine and then use numerals for 10 and above.
I don't hesitate to fudge if useful, ie. if I'm trying to keep everything on one line and spelling out "seven" bumps the text onto another line, then I'll use "7." (my scripts often run long so I end up cutting wherever possible)
Here's a nice round-up of the rules on numbers from Portland State U:
*This is the general rule when using numbers in text: Spell out one to nine; use numerals for 10 and above; use a combination of numerals and words for 1,000,000 or more.
--When Bill was eight years old, he wanted to become a major league third baseman, but by the time he was 18 he realized that coaching was a more realistic choice. Of course, coaching meant giving up his dream of a $10 million contract.
adjacent numbers
*It is usually best to spell out one number and use numerals for the other when numbers are adjacent.
--In the classroom were 12 five-foot-high podiums.
--The professor needed 150 twenty-page booklets.
*commas
Use a comma with numbers of more than three digits. (SAT scores are an exception.)
-Emmy's new book has 1,390 pages.
-Ripley's SAT score was 1390.
*** Exceptions to the general rule
*Use numerals for percentages, decimals, credits, GPAs, book chapters and page numbers, and quantities combining whole numbers and fractions except at the beginning of a sentence.
-Only 2 percent of the class passed the test.
-Don's GPA is 3.73.
-The class turned to Chapter 3, page 9.
-The requirement includes 4 credits in biology.
*money
-The refund check was for $8.97.
-The used book cost $3, but the new one was $24.95.
-Jack paid $800 for the car, painted it, and sold it for $1,250.
*fractions
-The page is 8-1/2 inches wide.
-Professor Williams gave A's to one-fifth of the class.
-Two-thirds of the class took careful notes.
*beginning a sentence
When a number begins a sentence, either spell out the number or rephrase the sentence.
-Seven hundred fifty-two students received certificates of merit.
-More than 750 students received certificates of merit.
*casual use
Spell out numbers when used casually.
-A thousand times no!
*more than 1,000,000
Use a combination of numbers and words when using numbers of 1,000,000 or more.
-Alfonso gave the library $1.3 million.
*inclusive numbers
Use a hyphen in tables or charts.
-pages 834-35
-pages 834-910
-1994-96
-1894-1975
Do not use hyphens with inclusive numbers in text, except when the numbers are in parentheses.
-Calvin taught history from 1971 to 1998.
-Calvin taught history at San Jose State (1971-72), Utah (1972-82), and Portland State (1982-98).
*invitations
Only in the most formal of invitations are numbers spelled out. If your event is black- or white-tie only, for example, spell out all numbers. Otherwise, follow the general rule.
*ordinals
Spell out ordinal numbers first through ninth; use numerals for 10th and above.
-Betsy came in fourth out of 1,230 runners, but Jennifer was 124th.
-Pat taught a course in 18th-century literature.
*sport scores
Use numerals and hyphens.
-The final score was 45-18.
-PSU won 8-3.
*telephone numbers
Include the area code in all numbers (except campus numbers in internal campus publications). Do not place parentheses around area codes.
-For more information, call 503-725-5555.
-For more information, call 360-555-1492.
Include the 1 in toll-free numbers.
-The PSU toll-fre-e number is 1-800-547-8887.
|
