General Rule:
* Numbers one through nine are spelled out.
* Numbers 10 and above are written as numerals.
Exceptions:
* Round numbers: Large, round numbers like "thousands" or "millions" are often spelled out. For example, you could write "hundreds of thousands" instead of "100,000".
* Dates and times: Dates and times use numerals. Example: "January 1st, 2024" or "9:00 AM".
* Addresses: Addresses use numerals. Example: "123 Main Street"
* Percentages: Percentages use numerals and the percent sign. Example: "25%"
* Fractions: Fractions are usually spelled out unless they are combined with numerals. Example: "one-half" or "3/4".
* Consistency: Be consistent with your number usage within a single essay. Don't switch back and forth between numerals and words.
Important Note:
* Follow your style guide: If you're writing an essay for a class or publication, always follow the style guide that your instructor or editor provides.
* Readability: Ultimately, the goal is to write clearly and effectively. If spelling out a number makes your writing awkward, use a numeral instead.
Example:
"Seventeen students were present at the meeting. They discussed a plan to raise $10,000 for the new library."
In this example, "seventeen" is spelled out because it is less than ten. "Ten thousand" is written as a numeral because it is a large round number.