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October 17, 2024
Tip of the Month
Notes on Measurements and Numbers
Units of measurement take the singular tense. For example:
- $100 is enough to pay for the ticket.
- Three cups of flour makes only one loaf of banana bread.
- Three yards of cloth makes the dress, but it may be too short.
- Only 800 square feet of space is available to rent in the building.
BUT:
Singular is considered one. According to the late Bill Walsh of the Washington Post, do not think of the singular as one or less. It’s just one. Anything less than one is expressed as plural. For example:
- The employment rate soared by 5 percentage points last month.
- The team received zero baskets of print orders today.
As always, when in doubt, check it out! Contact the Editorial Help Desk for help (Donna_M_MarksPleasant@mcpsmd.org).
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