TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: What is right From:Peter Brown <pbrown -at- MKS -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 16 Jul 1997 16:50:06 -0400
Kim Keegan wrote:
> Feeman Kevin SC2275 asked about:
>
> > "three eight-hour days" vs. "3 8 hour days"
>
> What your SME suggests (3 8 hour days) just plain looks bad!
>
> Rubens (Science and Technical Writing - A Manual of Style) says to
> spell
> out numbers if ten or less (7.9), to use numerals to report all time
> values (7.7), and to put a hyphen between numbers and words that form
> a
> unit modifier (7.13).
>
> So, by these rules, shouldn't it be "three 8-hour days"?
I would not use "8" to describe hours in that context. Use numerals for
an actual time of day, 8:11 p.m., but I would express the above term:
"three eight-hour days."
--
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Opinions? I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention."
Peter Brown, Technical Writer (pbrown -at- mks -dot- com)
Mortice Kern Systems Inc. (http://www.mks.com)
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
