Question

Which of the following sentences correctly uses words or numerals to express numbers?


Margaret grew up in the 40’s.


We have two hundred and twenty four employees.


525 people came to see the play this evening.


The meeting starts at one o’clock.

Answer 1

Sentences 3 and 4.

Reasons/corrections:
- 1 is incorrect: the decade should be written without a terminal apostrophe — e.g. "the 1940s" or "the '40s."
- 2 is incorrect: when written out, "twenty-four" needs a hyphen: "two hundred and twenty-four employees" (US style often omits "and": "two hundred twenty-four").
- 3 is fine: "525 people..." is acceptable (numerals are normal for numbers this large).
- 4 is fine: "The meeting starts at one o'clock." is correct (times may be spelled out or written with numerals).