AP style Numerals dates times By the numbers

AP style: Numerals, dates, times

By the numbers � Basic rule – Spell out whole numbers below 10, use figures for 10 and above. � For example: Each person was given three pencils. The entire class received a 30 -count box.

Sentence start � Spell out numbers if they are used at the start of a sentence. � Thirty-eight geese were tagged by the researchers. � Exception: If a calendar year is used at the start of the sentence, we use a numeral. - 2009 was not a productive year for the business.

Ages � Always use figures. � An 8 -year-old boy. The 37 -year-old pitcher. � Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun or as substitutes for a noun. � A 5 -year-old boy, but the boy is 5 years old. The boy, 7, has a sister, 10. � The race is for 3 -year-olds. � The woman is in her 30 s. (No apostrophe)

Percentages � Use figures for percent and percentages. -1 percent � Use decimals, not fractions – 2. 5 percent. � For amounts less than one percent, use a zero in front of the decimal. - The cost of living rose 0. 6 percent.

Money � Use figures and the dollar sign in all uses except casual references or amounts without a figure. � Admission to the concert is $12. A 12 -pack of Coca Cola costs $4. 50. The new coach’s contract is for $325, 000 annually. � For amounts of more than $1 million, use up to two decimal places. - The building cost $5. 25 million.

Dimensions � Use figures and spell out inches, feet, yards, etc. to indicate depth, height, length and width. � Hyphenate when used to modify a noun. � He is 5 feet 6 inches tall. The 5 -foot-6 -inch man. � The area received 5 inches of snow Tuesday. � The building has 6, 000 square feet of floor space.

Temperatures � Use figures for all except zero. Use a word, not a minus sign, to indicate a temperature below zero. - It was sunny and 67 at the park. - The day’s low was minus 10. OR - The day’s low as 10 below zero. � Temperatures get higher or lower, but they don’t get warmer or cooler.

Addresses � Only abbreviate Ave. , Blvd. and St. when used with a numbered address. - The home is on Smith Avenue. - The home is located at 1215 Smith Ave. � Never abbreviate road, alley, drive, terrace or any other address. � Capitalize when part of a formal name without a number. Lowercase when used alone or with two or more names.

Time � Use figures except for noon or midnight. � Use a. m. and p. m. Not in the morning or in the afternoon. - Lunch service starts at 11: 45 a. m. - Class begins at 6: 30 p. m. � For 12 p. m. , use noon. For 12 a. m. , use midnight. Just noon or midnight. � Do not write 12 noon or 12 midnight – those are redundant.

Dates and months � Capitalize the names of months in all uses. � When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate the following months: Jan. , Feb. , Aug. , Sept. , Oct. , Nov. and Dec. - He was born on Aug. 9, 1990. - The trip starts May 12. - The bus trip is planned from Nov. 12 -15. - The coldest month of the year was January. � Number only. No th or rd or anything after the number.

Questions?