Can i begin a sentence with a number

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Is it a good idea to begin a sentence with a number or a variable name? Ask Question. Asked 9 years, 9 months ago. Active 7 years, 11 months ago. Viewed 2k times. Is it acceptable to have the following sentences in formal writing?

Improve this question. Helium Helium 3 3 gold badges 8 8 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges. I do not know of any formal style that expressly allows this.

So stay off, always. Do you mean numbers or only numbers in digit form? Why do English writers avoid explicit numerals? Gangnus: numbers in digit form, specially floating point numbers. Show 2 more comments. Active Oldest Votes. Contrary to the other answers, I see no reason not to use the forms shown. Important notice Good news!

Search and Functionalities Area Search Canada. Number 6 was the last in the series; there was no number 7. The first sentence above could be rewritten this way: A crowd of was expected, but only 23 showed up.

Awkward: But that was now in the past. Nineteen hundred and ninety-four was another year. Better: But that was now in the past; was another year.

Subscribe and get curated reads that will help you write an excellent manuscript. Confirm that you would also like to sign up for free personalized email coaching for this stage. Scientific writing: Avoid starting sentences with a number or abbreviation 2 min read. Common errors in the usage of abbreviations in scientific writing 8 min read.

Scientific writing: Difference between "e. Scientific writing: Avoid starting sentences with a number or abbreviation. Yateendra Joshi Jan 23, Reading time. Some people may remember learning the mnemonic FANBOYS when studying the coordinating conjunctions for , and , nor , but , or , yet , so. And some instructors also still use this as means of explaining which words should not be given the chance to lead the parade. But it's slightly ridiculous to insist that these words should never be used to begin a sentence, when a thousand years of English writing has shown this to be a fine way to start off.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up. What to Know It's perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with "And," as well as the other words that we are often taught to avoid such as "but" or "or. More Words At Play.

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Nov. Time Traveler. Love words?