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06-23-2008, 03:50 PM
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#1
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Addict
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 153
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Year number in dialogue
What would be the correct way of writing a number in the dialogue?
The character is talking about something that happened in 2006. She says:
"I first heard about it in 06."
How do I say that?
"I first heard about it in oh six." <--looks weird to me. I don't really want to have her say "two thousand six." as that isn't really the way people talk (at least not me, I always say 04 or 06).
Also in the rest of the story, I've written all the numbers out in word form. Such as "It happened when I was twelve." So it seems odd to me to use the number form just that one time.
Is there a correct way to mention numbers?
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06-23-2008, 03:56 PM
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#2
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Profound Writer
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Fayette-Nam, NC
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,314
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Just like you typed it first but with an '
"Heard about that in '06."
Unless you're the type to say "Year of Our Lord two thousand and six." or "Oh-six". Comes off different depending on how you type it.
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06-23-2008, 03:57 PM
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#3
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Best Seller
Join Date: Jul 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 503
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I would do exactly like Seigfried.
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06-23-2008, 05:11 PM
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#4
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Adept Writer
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Making excusses and saying, "I'll write latter" when I know I won't untill I stop makin excusses.
Gender: Female
Posts: 927
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I totally agree. You don't have to write it out if the number exceeds 10.
__________________
WARNING: VERRRRY HAPPY PERSON!
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06-23-2008, 06:55 PM
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#5
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Addict
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 153
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Okay, thanks! I just want to keep whatever I do consistent throughout the book, so I'll do it that way.  |
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06-23-2008, 11:07 PM
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#6
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Addict
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 153
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Hey, what about times?
"3:12" or "Three twelve" ?
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06-24-2008, 12:15 AM
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#7
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Addict
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California, USA
Gender: Male
Posts: 177
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"Twelve past three" is always an option there. It even sounds natural to me, because this is how many people around me read off the time.
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06-24-2008, 08:49 AM
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#8
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Best Seller
Join Date: Jul 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 503
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zyphial
"Twelve past three" is always an option there. It even sounds natural to me, because this is how many people around me read off the time.
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I agree. Rarely would I say "Three twelve". If it's dialogue, it should sound natural. I'm not sure of the context, but if I were asked what time it is, and the clock read 3:12, I would most likely say "quarter after three". |
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06-24-2008, 09:04 AM
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#9
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Profound Writer
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Fayette-Nam, NC
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,314
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Times are a regional and personal thing. Whatever you do, make it consistent with the character, and it should be fine with the reader.
I usually say, "Three twelve" or even "3:12", but my mom does the "Quarter after" thing (and often assumes you can guess the hour).
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