0.001 grams or 0.001 gram

Question

Hi 0.001gDo we say 0.001 grams or 0.001 gram?Thank youPBF

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Use the plural when reading the numbers - "zero point zero zero one grams"

If you're using English words, use singular - "one one-thousandth of a gram" / "two one-thousandths of a gram" - I've also heard "one one-thousandth grams"

- A.

Jarry1 · Answer

I completely agree with the above, except that the scientific community would like all SI units, and therefore all units, to have the same plural as singular. But that would mean saying '200 metre'. As an adjective, use the singular, i.e. 'A one-thousandth(-)gram mass'

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Jarry1,

I appreciate your point about using the expression as an adjective.

We always have to consider the community. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

It always amused me how in the US, the scientific, engineering, and manufacturing communities all had different conventions. To a machinist, everything is measured in "thousandths" (of an inch) and "based" on fractions of an inch. (Some engineers like to talk about "mils.")

When CAD came on board in the late 60's, manufacturing drawings were often issued in decimal parts of an inch, rounded to two places. A machinist knows that 3/8" is exactly .375", or "three hundred and seventy-five thousandths." The CAD dimension would be 0.38". Outrageous! (You knew the draftsman wanted the thing to be "three eighths of an inch".)

CAD = "computer assisted drafting"

0.001 grams or 0.001 gram

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