atw: Re: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Most usage guides have rules about when to write out numbers as words (one, two, three, ...) and when to use numerals (1, 2, 3, ...). However, from time to time I come across passages written like this (from a document I've just been reading):

This solution has been designed to support up to five (5) users, and three (3) of these systems are being procured.

I've seen this often enough to think there must be some rationale for doing it this way, but I can't imagine what it is. It looks almost as if the writer wonders whether readers mightn't understand the 'written-out' forms.

Anyone know the source of this style of writing? Is there a good reason for it that I'm missing?


The fact that many style guides warn against doing
this very thing leads me to believe that obsessive
writers have a tendency to do this and we all have
to do our part in stamping it out :->

-- Janice

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Janice Gelb          | The only connection Sun has with
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