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Subject:What is right -Reply From:Bill Sullivan <bsullivan -at- SMTPLINK -dot- DELTECPOWER -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 16 Jul 1997 13:45:10 -0700
> Question all: How would you write:
>The test lab was needed for three eight-hour days.
Well, Kevin, if you think numbers are easy, you are wrong. In 8.1,
the editors of the Chicago Manual of Style tell us: "It is difficult
if not impossible to be entirely consistent in the treatment of
numbers in textual matter." You might make a thorough study of
Chapter 8 of the Chicago Manual to see what you think applies.
At the conclusion of this chapter, in 8.80, the editors of Chicago
refer us to the U.S.Government Printing Office Style Manual for
special uses of numbers which they haven't covered.
Paragraph 12.9 of GPO states: "Units of measurement and time, actual
or implied, are expressed in figures."
However, rule 12.21 tell us: "Numbers of less than 100 preceding a
compound modifier containing a figure are spelled out."
If you go by this rule, you and the SME are each half right. Make it
three 8-hour days.
Bill Sullivan
bsullivan -at- deltecpower -dot- com
San Diego, California
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