When To Spell Out Numbers In Legal Writing8 min read

When to spell out numbers in legal writing can be a bit confusing. You may be used to spelling out numbers when you are writing for general audiences, but in legal writing, you will often be required to use figures. This is because legal writing is often more formal and precise than other types of writing.

There are some general rules that you can follow to help you decide when to spell out numbers and when to use figures. Generally, you should use figures for all numbers that are 10 or greater, and you should spell out all numbers that are 10 or less. This is because it is easier to read numbers that are spelled out, and it is also more precise to use figures for larger numbers.

There are some exceptions to these general rules, however. You may need to use figures for certain numbers in legal writing, even if they are 10 or less. This is often the case when you are writing about money, dates, or other specific information.

It is also important to be aware of the formatting conventions for legal writing. In most cases, you will need to use figures for all numbers, regardless of their size. This is in contrast to other types of writing, where you may be able to use figures or spell out numbers depending on the context.

In general, it is best to use figures for all numbers in legal writing. This will make your writing more precise and easier to read. However, be aware of the specific formatting conventions for legal writing, and be sure to follow them correctly.

When should numbers be spelled out?

When to spell out numbers and when to use numerals is a common question for writers. The general rule is to use numerals for anything below 10 and spell out the number when it is 10 or above. This is a guideline, however, and there are exceptions to the rule.

One reason to use numerals for numbers below 10 is that it is easier to read. With long strings of numbers, it is difficult for the reader to track each number and determine which one is the 10th and which is the 11th. In addition, when numerals are used, the reader understands immediately that the number is precise and there is no ambiguity about its value.

When numbers are spelled out, on the other hand, the value is not always clear. For example, the number 12 can be pronounced as “twelve” or “eleven and two.” In cases like this, it is best to use numerals to avoid any confusion.

There are a few exceptions to the general rule of using numerals for numbers below 10. One is when the number is being used as an adjective. For example, “There are five people in the room” would be written as “There are five people in the room.” In this case, the number is acting as an adjective to describe the people in the room. Another exception is when the number is being used in a title. For example, “The Bestselling Book of All Time” would be written as “The Bestselling Book of All Time.”

Ultimately, the decision of when to use numerals and when to spell out numbers is up to the writer. As long as the writer is aware of the general rule and the exceptions, they can make a decision that will work best for their particular situation.

How do you write numbers in legal writing?

When writing numbers in legal writing, there are specific rules to follow. Here is a guide on how to write numbers correctly in legal documents:

One: Always spell out the number one (1), and do not use the number symbol (1).

Two: When writing two numbers next to each other, spell out the number two (2) and use the number symbol (2).

Ten: Use the number symbol (10) when writing ten or more numbers.

Hundred: Use the number symbol (100) when writing one hundred or more numbers.

Thousand: Use the number symbol (1000) when writing one thousand or more numbers.

One million: Use the number symbol (1,000,000) when writing one million or more numbers.

One billion: Use the number symbol (1,000,000,000) when writing one billion or more numbers.

When writing numbers in legal writing, always use numerals (the number symbols), except when writing one or two numbers. When writing three or more numbers, use numerals for all numbers except the number one.

Do numbers under 10 need to be written out?

Do numbers under 10 need to be written out? In most cases, no.

When writing numbers, there are a few things to keep in mind. For instance, should numbers be written out in full or expressed in digits? And when do decimals and fractions need to be written out as opposed to expressed in digits?

In general, numbers 10 and under can be expressed in digits, except when they are at the beginning of a sentence or part of a measurement. For instance, “six” is written out as “six”, but “sixteen” is written as “16”. And “0.5” is written as “0.5”, but “one half” is written as “1/2”.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, however. For example, when a number is used as an adjective, it should be written out in full. So “I have six siblings” would be written as “I have six siblings”, but “I have a six-pack of beer” would be written as “I have a six-pack of beer”.

Additionally, when a number is followed by a unit of measurement, it should always be written out in full. For instance, “I have a five-pound bag of sugar” would be written as “I have a five-pound bag of sugar”, but “I have 50 dollars” would be written as “I have 50 dollars”.

In general, it is best to express numbers in digits when possible, except for when they are at the beginning of a sentence or part of a measurement. By following these simple guidelines, you can help ensure that your numbers are expressed clearly and accurately.

Why do contracts spell out numbers?

When it comes to contracts, spell out the numbers. Why? It’s all about clarity.

Consider this sentence from a contract: “The Seller agrees to sell the Product to the Buyer for $10.” It’s not clear whether the Seller is agreeing to sell the Product for $10 each, or whether the Seller is agreeing to sell the Product for $10 in total.

But if the sentence read, “The Seller agrees to sell the Product to the Buyer for 10 dollars,” it would be clear that the Seller is agreeing to sell the Product for $10 in total.

That’s why it’s important to spell out the numbers in contracts – to avoid any ambiguity.

Do you write 12 or twelve?

When it comes to numerals, there are a few rules that everyone should know. One of those rules is when to use a numeral (1, 2, 3, etc.) and when to use the word form (one, two, three, etc.).

The general rule is that you use the word form when you are talking about amounts that can be counted one at a time, and you use the numeral when you are talking about a specific number. For example, you would say “I have one sister” and “I have two brothers,” because you can count the sisters and brothers one at a time. You would say “I have three cats” and “I have four dogs,” because you can’t count the cats and dogs one at a time.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, and one of them is the number 12. Some people say “I have 12 siblings” and “I have 12 cats,” while others say “I have 12,” “I have twelve,” or “I have dozen.” The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong answer, and you should use the form that sounds best to you.

Do you write 30 or thirty?

When it comes to writing numbers, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of these is whether to write out the number in full, or use the number symbol (30).

There are some cases where it doesn’t really matter which way you go. For example, if you’re writing a list of items and the numbers are all under 10, either way is fine. But if you’re writing something more formal, or if the number is larger, it’s best to use the number symbol.

This is because the number symbol takes up less space on the page, and it’s also quicker and easier to read. So, in general, it’s better to use the number symbol when you’re writing numbers.

Do words or numbers prevail in a contract?

In any legal contract, the terms of the agreement are typically set out in two ways: in words, and in numbers. The question of which set of terms prevails when there is a conflict is often a matter of dispute.

In general, the terms set out in words will take precedence over those set out in numbers. This is because the words are the parties’ agreed-upon understanding of the deal, while the numbers are simply a record of what was agreed upon.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the words in a contract are vague or ambiguous, the courts may look to the numbers to determine the parties’ intent. In addition, if the numbers in a contract are clear and unambiguous, the courts will give them precedence over the words.

Ultimately, the question of which terms prevail in a contract is a matter of interpretation by the courts. This can be a complex and daunting task, and parties to a contract would be well-advised to seek legal counsel to ensure that their agreement is drafted in a way that will minimize the risk of disputes.