I have not seen a written rule about “o’clock” equaling “:00” in a standard English text. I would love to have a reference for that rule. I know that many people were taught that. I have simply never seen it written as a rule. There are three separate English rules for transcribing times. I believe that, in our era of …
“A Half” Versus “One Half” and Others
In making this distinction, you choose the way it is transcribed depending on how verbatim you want to be. When “eighteen and one half” is said, then it is a mixed number, and the rule says that mixed numbers should be transcribed in figures. …It is 18 1/2 feet long. When “three and three fourths” is said, then this mixed …
The Word “Number”
When the word “number” is said and is followed by a figure, it is abbreviated except when it begins a sentence since it would look like hte word “no.” …It refers to Section No. 123. …I am on page No. 15. …Number 84 is not included here. The plural of the abbreviation is “Nos.” …I have read Nos. 15 and …
Exhibit Numbers
Exhibit numbers are always in figures — even at the beginning of a sentence. The word “exhibit” is capped in front of the number. The word “number” is abbreviated as “No.”; the plural is “Nos.” …THE COURT: This will be Exhibit No. 4. …MS. RAY: 4. Okay. …We have marked this as Exhibit 9. Happy punctuating! …
Military Time
Military times are expressed as four digits whether or not they are said that way. …It was 0732 when I left the barracks. …The call came in at 0900 hours. Happy punctuating! Margie
Percents
All percentages are in figures with the word percent, not the symbol. If there is a suffix added, it is added to the word percent. …He spent 22 percent more. …They saved 4 percent by paying cash. …It is a 5 percent-off sale. Happy punctuating! Margie
“A” Hundred” versus “One” Hundred
When the words are “a” hundred or “a” thousand, there is a problem for the person who wishes to keep it as close to verbatim as possible. Technically, “a hundred” and “a thousand” are not numbers and should be transcribed as words. …It was bigger than a thousand. …He gave more than a hundred percent of his time. When this …
Thousands
Numbers in the thousands are expressed in figures with a comma and can never be a combination of figures and words. …sent 45,000… …received 133,000 of them… …offered 50,000 for it… Whether the number is said “fifteen hundred” or “one thousand five hundred,” the comma is inserted. …sent 1,500… …received 3,400… …offered 2,100… Happy punctuating! Margie
Fractions
Fractions that stand alone are written out in words. They are hyphenated ONLY when they are right in front of a noun as a direct adjective. …up by three fourths… …two thirds of the group… …increased by seven eighths… …a three-fourths increase in debt… …two-thirds vote of the council… …seven-eighths cup of liquid… Fractions that are a part of a …
The Hyphen for an Incomplete Number
Formal English rules say that an incomplete number should be written out in words. …I think you said you made four or five hundred dollars. Combined with the consistency rule, this presents some issues in a reporting transcript. When there are other numbers in the same sentence or area of the transcript, it is simply not practical to write everything …
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2