When are numbers expressed in words?
Use words to express
any number that begins a sentence, title, or text heading. Whenever possible, reword the sentence to avoid beginning with a number.
Examples:
- Ten participants answered the questionnaire.
- Forty-eight percent of the sample showed an increase; 2% showed no change.
common fractions
Examples:
- one fifth of the class
- two-thirds majority
universally accepted usage
Examples:
- the Twelve Apostles
- Five Pillars of Islam
(adapted from the sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual, © 2010)
