Page 6 - Style Book 2020

GRAMMAR Collective nouns
• Use singular verbs and pronouns with nouns that note 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 unit:
A thousand bushels is 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 one of the top school districts in Florida. (A unit)
NUMBERS
• Spell out numbers one through nine (single digits). Use figures for 10 or more.
The school board is composed of five members elected from single-member districts.
The school district is divided into four areas of supervision with approximately 20 schools in each area.
• Spell out numbers at the beginning of a sentence unless the number identifies 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 singular noun make sure the corresponding pronoun also is singular.
Incorrect: A student can enter the class if they meet all of the prerequisites.
Instead: A student can enter the class if he or she meets all of the prerequisites.
Or: Students can enter the class if they meet all of the prerequisites.
• When indicating sequence in time or location, spell out first through ninth. Use figures starting with 10th.
She was first in line to receive a free book.
He was the 11th person chosen for 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.
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