For journalists, public relations professionals, and content creators, adhering to a consistent style guide is paramount. Among the most widely adopted style guides in the United States is the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. Ensuring clarity, accuracy, and conciseness in writing is at the heart of AP style, and a significant part of this involves mastering its rules for numbers. This guide will delve into the essential aspects of using numbers according to AP style, helping you create content that is both professional and easy to understand.
The Importance of Numbers in AP Style
Numbers are ubiquitous in news and journalistic writing, appearing in statistics, dates, ages, measurements, and countless other contexts. Inconsistent or incorrect number usage can lead to confusion, erode credibility, and distract readers from the core message. AP style provides a standardized approach to writing numbers, ensuring uniformity across publications and enhancing readability. By following AP style guidelines for numbers, writers can present numerical information clearly and concisely, reinforcing the accuracy and professionalism of their work.
AP Style Guide Numbers: Core Principles
The AP style approach to numbers is rooted in the broader principles of the style guide itself: consistency, clarity, accuracy, and brevity. When it comes to numbers, these principles translate into a set of specific guidelines designed to eliminate ambiguity and promote easy comprehension. AP style aims to present numbers in a way that is natural, readable, and instantly understandable for a broad audience. This involves balancing the need for precision with the goal of smooth, accessible prose.
Key AP Style Rules for Numbers
AP style offers detailed guidance on a wide range of number-related scenarios. Here are some of the most frequently encountered rules:
Numerals vs. Spelling Out Numbers
The foundational rule in AP style regarding numbers is straightforward: spell out whole numbers one through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above.
For example:
- Correct: The study found five key factors.
- Correct: The company reported a profit increase of 12 percent.
- Incorrect: The study found 5 key factors.
- Incorrect: The company reported a profit increase of twelve percent.
However, there are several exceptions to this general rule where numerals are used even for numbers below 10:
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Ages: Always use figures for ages.
- Example: A 5-year-old boy; She is 8 years old; The contest is for 9-year-olds and up.
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Addresses: Use figures for numbered addresses.
- Example: 101 N. Grant St., 3 S. 10th St.
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Cents: Use figures for cents.
- Example: 5 cents
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Dates: Use figures for dates.
- Example: August 25, May 6, 1869.
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Dimensions: Use figures for dimensions.
- Example: 5-foot-3, 2-inch pencil.
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Distances: Use figures for distances over 10, spell out distances below 10.
- Example: 1,113 miles, three miles long.
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Millions, Billions, Trillions: Use figures with million, billion, trillion.
- Example: $5 million, 2 billion people.
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Money: Use figures for money.
- Example: $7, $25.50, $100.
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Percentages: Use figures with the word percent.
- Example: 1 percent, 15 percent.
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Speeds: Use figures for speeds.
- Example: 7 mph, 25 km/h.
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Sports Scores: Use figures for sports scores.
- Example: The team won 6-2.
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Times: Use figures for time, except for noon and midnight.
- Example: 9 a.m., 7:30 p.m., noon, midnight.
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Weights: Use figures for weights.
- Example: 7 pounds, 3 ounces.
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Years: Use figures for years.
- Example: 2023, 1995.
Large Numbers
For numbers in the millions, billions, and trillions, AP style combines numerals and spelled-out words for clarity and space efficiency.
- Example: 5 million, 27 billion, 500 trillion.
For amounts of $1 million or more, the dollar sign ($) is used, followed by numerals and the word million, billion, or trillion.
- Example: $3 million, $12 billion.
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers indicate position in a sequence. In AP style, spell out first through ninth when referring to order in time or location, and use figures for 10th and above.
- Example: first place, ninth inning, 10th anniversary, 25th floor.
However, for political or geographic designations, use figures for all ordinal numbers:
- Example: 1st District Court, 5th Ward.
Roman Numerals
Roman numerals are used to denote wars and to indicate sequences for people, particularly popes and monarchs.
- Example: World War II, Pope John Paul II, Elizabeth II.
Decades and Centuries
When referring to decades, use figures. To show plural decades, use a lowercase “s” without an apostrophe. For centuries, spell them out.
- Example: the 1990s, the 1800s, the twentieth century.
To refer to a decade in an abbreviated form, use an apostrophe before the figures indicating the decade.
- Example: the ’90s.
Starting Sentences with Numbers
Generally, avoid starting a sentence with a numeral. If you must begin a sentence with a number, spell it out, or rephrase the sentence. An exception is when starting a sentence with a year.
- Example: Two hundred students attended the lecture. Or, better: Attendance at the lecture was 200 students.
- Example: 1995 was a year of significant change.
Specific Contexts: Phone Numbers, Addresses, Dates, Times, Ages, Dimensions, Money
As mentioned earlier, AP style dictates specific formats for numbers in common contexts:
- Phone Numbers: Use figures. (Although not explicitly in the provided text, AP style typically uses hyphens to separate parts of phone numbers, e.g., 555-123-4567).
- Addresses: Use figures for numbered addresses. Abbreviate Ave., Blvd., and St. with numbered addresses. Spell out words like alley, drive, road. Spell out First through Ninth for street names that are numbers, use figures for 10th and higher.
- Example: 101 N. Grant St., 102 S. 10th St., Northwestern Avenue, South Ninth Street, 605 Woodside Drive.
- Dates: Use figures for dates, do not use st, nd, rd, or th. Abbreviate months when used with a date (Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.). Spell out months when used alone or with a year only.
- Example: Aug. 25, January 2024, The semester begins in January.
- Times: Use figures, spell out noon and midnight. Use a colon to separate hours from minutes (e.g., 1:30 p.m.), but omit :00 when referring to the hour (e.g., 5 p.m., not 5:00 p.m.).
- Example: 3:30 a.m., 1 p.m., noon, midnight.
- Ages: Always use figures for ages. Hyphenate when used as an adjective.
- Example: a 7-year-old child, The woman is 35 years old.
- Dimensions: Use figures for dimensions, spell out units like feet, inches, miles.
- Example: 6 feet tall, a 9-inch screen.
- Money: Use the dollar sign ($) followed by figures. For cents, spell out the word cents unless referring to a large amount.
- Example: $15, $2.50, 75 cents, $1.2 million.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One common error is inconsistent application of the spell-out rule. Writers may inadvertently use numerals for numbers one through nine in some instances. Another frequent mistake is adding ordinal suffixes (st, nd, rd, th) to dates. Careful proofreading and familiarity with the core rules can prevent these errors. Always double-check number usage, especially in contexts where exceptions apply. When in doubt, consult the AP Stylebook.
Resources for AP Style Numbers
The most authoritative resource for AP style is the Associated Press Stylebook. It is regularly updated and provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of AP style, including numbers. Online resources like the Purdue OWL also offer helpful summaries and explanations of AP style rules. Regularly consulting these resources will strengthen your understanding and application of AP style numbers.
Conclusion
Mastering AP style numbers is essential for producing clear, consistent, and professional writing in journalism and related fields. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this guide and continuously referencing authoritative resources, writers can ensure their numerical information is presented accurately and effectively, contributing to the overall credibility and readability of their content. Consistent application of AP style for numbers enhances communication and reinforces the standards of journalistic excellence.
