cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21049862

The only numbers I will ever spell are one and zero, and only when using them as a pronoun, or for emphasis, respectively.

Is there ever a reason to not to use symbols when dealing with numbers? Why would “fourteen whatevers” ever be preferable to “14 whatevers”. It’s just so much easier to read numbers as symbols, not spelled out.

(Caveat, not including multipliers, like “273 billion”).

  • @KoalaUnknownEnglish
    33•2 months ago

    Sometimes it’s actually better to mix them.

    Example from Purdue Owl:

    Unclear: The club celebrated the birthdays of 6 90-year-olds who were born in the city.

    Clearer: The club celebrated the birthdays of six 90-year-olds who were born in the city.