0
Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

Not Writing out Certain Numbers in Dialogue

Normally, when I have characters say numbers, I write them out in words, for example "100" would simply be "one hundred." However, I make exceptions when they have to quote something like Scripture, because I don't want it to get too messy in writing all that out in words. For example:

"He was referring to Genesis 1:28 through 31," he explained.

Is that permitted - at least for the reader's sake?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Yes that is fine, Snarf. Really, you need to write them out in dialogue only when you wish to show some dialect in their pronunciation or other special effect (like 'Yer a hunnerd 'n' TWENNY years old? '

— Mister Micawber

  • Yes that is fine, Snarf.
  • Really, you need to write them out in dialogue only when you wish to show some dialect in their pronunciation or other special effect (like 'Yer a hunnerd 'n' TWENNY years old?
  • '
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
Yes that is fine, Snarf. Really, you need to write them out in dialogue only when you wish to show some dialect in their pronunciation or other special effect (like 'Yer a hunnerd 'n' TWENNY years old? Get outta heah!'
0

Related Questions