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Grammarholic Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Can I do this?
Instead of using the word 'percent', can I write:
The mayor said, 'We are expecting a 10–15% a year reduction in crime.'
... a 15% a year reduction in crime.
Not: ... a 15%-a-year reduction in crime.
(I think the hyphens do not add clarity at all; do you agree?
The mayor said, 'We are expecting a 10–15% a year reduction in crime.'
... a 15% a year reduction in crime.
Not: ... a 15%-a-year reduction in crime.
(I think the hyphens do not add clarity at all; do you agree?
Top answer
I would rephrase. The percentage refers to the reduction, not the time. " OR The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% reduction in crime each year (or: by next year--depending on what the point is).
- I would rephrase.
- The percentage refers to the reduction, not the time.
- " OR The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% reduction in crime each year (or: by next year--depending on what the point is).
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3 Answers
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I would rephrase. The percentage refers to the reduction, not the time. So:
The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% yearly reduction in crime."
OR
The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% reduction in crime each year (or: by next year--depending on what the point is).
The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% yearly reduction in crime."
OR
The mayor said, "We are expecting a 10-15% reduction in crime each year (or: by next year--depending on what the point is).
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Doctor D, Could I, for variation, write:
a 10-15% annual reduction in crime
Does 'annual' work, too?
a 10-15% annual reduction in crime
Does 'annual' work, too?
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