Three Tips for Starting a Sentence with a Number

The writing world is riddled with “rules” based on misunderstood guidelines. One such rule is that we should never start a sentence with a number. While this blanket ban is understandable—depending on the content, starting a sentence with a number can be confusing or disruptive for readers—doing so is generally grammatically acceptable if you follow the three guidelines outlined below.

1. Spell Out Numbers at the Start of Sentences.

Spell out numbers (e.g., one, two, three) at the start of sentences rather than using numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3).¹

Seven puppies played with three tennis balls at the dog park.

Ninety people waited at the airport to welcome the returning service members.

This guideline applies to all numbers, even those that are very large, which brings us to the second guideline . . .

2. Rewrite to Avoid Opening Sentences with Large Numbers.

Spelling out a large number at the start of a sentence can be awkward. When possible, avoid such awkwardness by adding an introductory word or phrase to your sentence or rewriting the sentence altogether so that the number doesn’t appear at the beginning.²

Before: One hundred fifty-two wasps live in my garage.

After: Unfortunately, 152 wasps live in my garage.

Before: Four thousand eight hundred people live in Whiting, Indiana.

After: Whiting, Indiana has 4,800 residents.

3. Consult Your Style Guide for Alternative Recommendations.

Our four primary style guides (i.e., The Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press Stylebook, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, and the MLA Handbook from the Modern Language Association) all agree that numbers should normally be spelled out at the start of sentences.

However, differences can occur between style guides, even between the primary guides. For example, The Associated Press Stylebook allows numerals representing years (e.g., 2018, 1999) at the start of sentences. It also allows sentences to be opened with abbreviations or words that start with a numeral (e.g., 3D video games).³

Therefore, always check your organization’s preferred style guide for recommendations that differ from the general guidelines.

For more information on The Associated Press Stylebook and the other guides mentioned above, visit my previous post “Which Style Guide Is Best for You?”

References

1. MLA Handbook, 8th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2016), 92; Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association), 112; The Associated Press Stylebook 2018 (New York: Associated Press, 2018), 85; The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 9.5.
2. MLA Handbook, 8th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2016), 92; Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association), 112; The Associated Press Stylebook 2018 (New York: Associated Press, 2018), 85; The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 9.5.
3. The Associated Press Stylebook 2018 (New York: Associated Press, 2018), 85.