Maxwell Institute And " Utahans"

[thesometimesaint]

I know people who live in Spanish Fark.

[Scott Lloyd]

Deleted

Edited July 14, 2014 by Scott Lloyd

[Tacenda]

By the way, Analytics, I just now caught three more style errors just in the little snippet you posted from the Universe story:

Instead of "six percent," it should have been 6 percent.

And it should be .2 percent increase, or two-tenths of a percent increase, not "point two percent increase."

Finally, it should be 3,000 more Utahns, not "three thousand more Utahans."

This is assuming the Universe goes by Associated Press style, which, according to its own "Supplement to the 2011 AP Stylebook - The Universe," it does.

As I said, these are students, and everybody has to learn somewhere, sometime.

So, is there a rule of thumb on when to spell out a number and when not to? I've struggled with that one.

Also, why the italicised percentage quotes? I must have been a big daydreamer in school.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Tacenda

[Scott Lloyd]

So, is there a rule of thumb on when to spell out a number and when not to? I've struggled with that one.

It depends on what style guide one conforms with. The AP Stylebook says spell out numbers up to and including nine and use numerals for 10 and above.

But when writing percentages always use numerals.

Also, why the italicised percentage quotes? I must have been a big daydreamer in school.

I did it in this instance to make it clear what text should have been in the article instead of what was in there. I didn't use quotation marks to set it apart, because I wasn't quoting anyone or anything. (I'm a stickler on proper use of quotation marks. I never use them unless it's for a quotation. I never use them merely for emphasis. That's what italics, boldface and underscoring are for.) Edited July 14, 2014 by Scott Lloyd

[Tacenda]

It depends on what style guide one conforms with. The AP Stylebook says spell out numbers up to and including nine and use numerals for 10 and above.

But when writing percentages always use numerals.

I did it in this instance to make it clear what text should have been in the article instead of what was in there. I didn't use quotation marks to set it apart, because I wasn't quoting anyone or anything. (I'm a stickler on proper use of quotation marks. I never use them unless it's for a quotation. I never use them merely for emphasis. That's what italics, boldface and underscoring are for.)

Thank you Scott, ever since posting on MD&D, I try to do better with my grammar.

[Scott Lloyd]

Thank you Scott, ever since posting on MD&D, I try to do better with my grammar.

I think you do very well.

[Analytics]

By the way, Analytics, I just now caught three more style errors just in the little snippet you posted from the Universe story:

 

Instead of "six percent," it should have been 6 percent.

 

And it should be .2 percent increase, or two-tenths of a percent increase, not "point two percent increase."

 

Finally, it should be 3,000 more Utahns, not "three thousand more Utahans."

 

This is assuming the Universe goes by Associated Press style, which, according to its own "Supplement to the 2011 AP Stylebook - The Universe," it does.

 

As I said, these are students, and everybody has to learn somewhere, sometime.

 

If we are aiming for maximum pedanticalness, isn't it 0.2 percent increase?

Edited July 14, 2014 by Analytics

[Scott Lloyd]

If we are aiming for maximum pedanticalness, isn't it 0.2 percent increase?

Yes. According to the stylebook:

For amounts less than 1 percent, precede the decimal with a zero: The cost of living rose 0.6 percent.

Good catch.

[USU78]

Who is this Utah Hans?

[Scott Lloyd]

Who is this Utah Hans?

Perhaps a Spanish Fork resident, as that area was settled by Icelanders.

Or perhaps a Sanprte County resident, as that area was settled by Danes.

[LifeOnaPlate]

I think Blair still follows this board somewhat. He might even weigh in here.

I only check in every few months, so if you have a question for me it's fastest to contact me with the email address you have on file or use the "Contact us" link at the bottom of the MI website.

I'm now leaning toward the belief that Blair made the choice on his own part. But it's not because I think he is apt to slavishly follow the dictates of less-than-optimal spell-check software. As I've indicated, I have higher regard for his skill, facility and gumption than that.

Well you give me too much credit! The blog post was something I dashed off fast and I don't know why I spelled it that way. I grew up in Utah but I guess I never gave the spelling much thought. I usually type posts up in a Word doc first so the spellcheck thing might explain it, I don't know! I'll fix it up when I get the chance. Thanks!

[Kenngo1969]

Forgive me, Scott: This reminds me of when Peanut mispronounces Jeff Dunham's name:

 

"Done HAM!  Oink-oink-oink!  Oink-oink-oink-oink-oink-oink-oink!  You're the other white meat!"

 

Sorry.   We now return you to your regularly-scheduled, on-topic, non-irrelevant programming.

[LifeOnaPlate]

*Updated: it's fixed. Thanks. 

Edited August 4, 2014 by LifeOnaPlate

[sethpayne]

*bump*

 

I know ttribe is terribly interested in continuing this discussion.  

[Scott Lloyd]

I wish you had not dredged this up. Blair was not too happy with me for making an issue of it, and I prefer to leave it buried.

[sethpayne]

I think you can close it as author of the OP, no?

[ttribe]

*bump*

 

I know ttribe is terribly interested in continuing this discussion.  

 

[Scott Lloyd]

I think you can close it as author of the OP, no?

Thanks for the reminder.