Read, Listen & Do: Punctuation in Numbers

READ & LISTEN

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Read:

Numbers sometimes need punctuation, such as commas, decimals, and hyphens.

Commas:  Commas are used with numbers that have four (4) or more digits.  We place a comma every three (3) spaces, counting from right to left.

Example:

4,121     25,000      890,000     1,256,000

If there is a decimal, do not count the numbers after the decimal to find where to put the comma.  Count the numbers to the left of the decimal separately from the numbers on the right.  Start at the decimal and count to the left of the decimal to find where to put the comma.  Place a comma every three numbers, just like the numbers without decimals.

Example:

4,121.25       25,000.5     1,235,025.99

Decimals:  Decimals are points (.) used to separate whole numbers from fractions.  They are called decimals, but they are usually read as "point".

Example:

1.5 (1 whole number and .5 more)

5,200.25 (5,200 whole numbers and .25 more)

Hyphens:  Hyphens are used when writing double digit numbers twenty-one to ninety-nine (21-99).  When you use these numbers with hundreds, thousands or larger, you also need to use a hyphen with the double digit.

Example:

25 = twenty-five

155 = one hundred fifty-five

125,467 = one hundred twenty-five thousand four hundred sixty-seven

Hyphens are not used when writing numbers 1-19, nor multiples of 10: 20 (twenty), 30 (thirty), 40 (forty), etc.

Listen:

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DO

Read:

Listen to the numbers.  Type the numbers you hear.  Type the numbers with digits.  Remember to use commas or decimals where they belong. 

Then, spell the numbers you hear.  Type the number with words.  Remember to use hyphens for some numbers.

Listen:

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HOW TO SUBMIT ONLINE

Read:

Open the "How to Submit a Text Entry" handout to read about how to submit your assignment.

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