For times that fall on the hour, omit the colon and zeroes( except for noon and midnight, which should be written as words).
• The meeting begins at 9 AM sharp. Lunch is scheduled for noon. Time ranges should be indicated using AM or PM for both the start and end times, with the word " to " between them.
• Incorrect: The event will take place from 11 to 11:30 AM.
• Incorrect: The event will take place from 11 AM- 11:30 AM.
• Correct: The event will take place from 11 AM to 11:30 AM.
GRAMMAR
IT’ S VS. ITS
Be mindful of the difference between it’ s and its. With an apostrophe, it’ s always means " it is ". Without an apostrophe, the word indicates possession.
• It’ s raining.( It is raining.)
• Its features are very distinguished.( The features belonging to it are very distinguished.)
THEY’ RE, THEIR, AND THERE
Be mindful of the difference between they’ re, their, and there. They’ re always means " they are ", their indicates possession, and there indicates a location or position.
• They’ re going to join us.( They are going to join us.)
• Their teeth are loose.( The teeth belonging to them are loose.)
• Look at those puppies over there!( Look at the puppies in that location.)
YOU’ RE VS. YOUR
Be mindful of the difference between you’ re and your. With an apostrophe, you’ re always means " you are ", while your indicates possession.
• You’ re almost ready.( You are almost ready.)
• Your nose is bleeding.( The nose belonging to you is bleeding.)
NUMBERS AND NUMERALS
Spell out numbers one through nine, and use digits for numbers 10 and higher.
• I have three apples.
• I have 16 apples.
Spell out a number when it is the first word in a sentence, unless it refers to a year.
• Twenty apples are required for this recipe.
• 1988 was a good year for growing apples.
Numbers larger than 999,999 are designated by both a digit and a word.
• I have 7.5 billion apples.
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