Page 6 - 2019 Style book CCC

GRAMMAR Collective nouns
• Use singular verbs and pronouns with nouns
nouns
that note a a a a unit: class committee crowd family group herd jury orchestra staff team The committee is meeting to set its agenda The staff is going to select its representative for Teacher of the Year • Some words that are plural in form become collective nouns
and take singular verbs when the group or quantity is regarded as a a unit: A A thousand bushels is a a good yield (A unit)
A thousand bushels were collected (Individual items)
The data is sound (A unit)
The data have been carefully collected (Individual items)
Brevard Public Schools is is one of the top school districts in Florida (A unit)
NUMBERS
• Spell out numbers one through nine (single digits) Use figures for 10 or or or more The school board is composed of five members elected from single-member districts The school district is is is divided into four areas of supervision with approximately 20 schools in each area • Spell out numbers at the beginning of a a sentence unless the number identifies a a a a a calendar year If necessary rewrite the sentence Incorrect: 253 new students enrolled in our school last year Instead: Last year 253 new students enrolled in our school Correct: 1999 marked the beginning of middle schools in Brevard County Noun/pronoun agreement
• When using a a a singular noun make sure the corresponding pronoun also is singular Incorrect: A student can enter the the class if they meet all of the prerequisites Instead: A student can enter the class if he he or she meets all of the prerequisites Or: Students can enter the the class if they meet all of the prerequisites • When indicating sequence in in in time or location spell out first through ninth Use figures starting with 10th She was first in in line to receive a a free book He was the the 11th person chosen for the the team • To indicate grade levels follow the rule for indicating sequence: Spell out first through ninth and use figures for 10th through 12th They are in the 10th grade Seventh graders learn how to change classes in middle school Exception: Use numerals when the word grade(s) precedes the grade level Students in grades 9 through 12 attend high school Grade 2 standardized testing was discontinued 56