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age
Always use digits, followed by the time span. If no time span is given, the number is assumed to be in years: it lasted 17 months; a 40-year-old law; She is 9. Use hyphens when used as an adjective preceding a noun; otherwise, no hyphens are necessary: the 36-year-old man; the woman is 36 years
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numbers
In copy, spell out numbers from zero to nine; use digits for all numbers 10 and above. The same rule applies to ordinal numbers: first, second, 11th, 101st An exception is when the number begins a sentence; then, always spell it out (or reword the sentence): Twenty-five years after their first meeting, the two rivals
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number position or rank
Use the abbreviation No. followed by the digit when indicating a number position or rank, or when referring to a number as an object: the No. 1 choice; the No. 84 jersey; No. 22 in the AP poll When referring to multiple numbers, use the abbreviation Nos. followed by the digits: the Nos. 14, 36
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percentages
Always use digits and spell out percent: The salary cap was raised by 4 percent; He is a 47-percent shooter. Be aware of the difference between “percent” and “percentage points.” For example, a rise from a 3 percent return to a 4 percent return would be a 33.3 percent increase, but an increase of only
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fractions and decimals
Fractions Fractions may signify either exact figures or inexact estimations: He pitched 4 2/3 innings; She played 9 1/2 seasons in Minnesota. Express figures greater than 1 in X X/X format (see examples above); spell out figures less than 1: four-sevenths; two-thirds; one-fourth Use a hyphen and spell out “half” when preceding a noun: a
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TV and radio callsigns
Use the four-letter callsign plus FM/AM/TV, followed by its location when referring to any broadcast television or radio station: Terry Glenn will not be available for Sunday’s game, coach Bill Parcells told WLVI-TV in Boston on Thursday; Tiki Barber drew criticism for his comments on WFAN-FM in New York. The best method to find callsigns
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future tense
The use of future tense should be avoided in most cases. Because nobody can predict the future, references to upcoming events should be couched in cases circumstances change: The Avalanche and Penguins are scheduled to face off at 7 p.m. ET; The starters for the MLB All-Star Game are set to be announced Tuesday. The
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present tense
The use of the present tense should be avoided in most cases. Present tense may be acceptable when referring to non-specific situations that are permanent or virtually guaranteed not to change for several days or longer: The Cleveland Guardians are in the midst of an unforgettable season; Scott Boras isn’t one to roll over in