Using apostrophes in time (temporal) expressions


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For neatness, try to avoid starting sentences with figures.

Starting Sentences with Numbers

It is considered untidy to start sentences with figures. You should either re-word your sentence or write the number in full.

Examples:

71 people were rescued from the ferry by the Latvian helicopter crew.

(not wrong but untidy)

The Latvian helicopter crew rescued 71 people from the ferry.

(This re-worded version is tidier.)

Seventy-one people were rescued from the ferry by the Latvian helicopter crew.

(Number written in full to avoid starting the sentence with "71")

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