Dollars and Sense: A Guide to Chicago Style Currency
So, you're trying to write about money, huh? Good for you! Nothing says "serious and important" like talking about cash. But wait, there's a catch - you have to follow the Chicago Manual of Style. Cue dramatic music.
Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. Think of the Chicago Manual as the grammar police, but for fancy pants writers. They have rules for everything, from how to capitalize a book title to how to write about money. And let me tell you, the money rules can be a real penny-pincher.
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| How Do You Write Currency In Chicago Manual Of Style |
Dollars and Cents (Literally)
Okay, let's get down to business. How do you write about money in Chicago style? Well, it depends. Shocker, right?
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
- Small Change: For amounts under one hundred dollars, you can spell it out. Like this: "She found a twenty-dollar bill on the ground." Sounds fancy, right? But if you're talking about a bunch of small amounts, you can use numerals. For example: "The tickets cost $15 each."
- Big Bucks: For amounts over one hundred dollars, use numerals and the dollar sign. For instance: "$500,000." Because who wants to write out half a million dollars? Not me.
- Foreign Currency: If you're dealing with foreign money, use the currency symbol or abbreviation. For example: "€500" or "EUR 500." And if no one knows what the heck that currency is, spell it out the first time you use it. Like this: "She spent 500 Australian dollars (AUD) on a boomerang."
Other Money Matters
A few more things to keep in mind:
- Decimals: Use two decimal places for amounts of money. So, it's "$12.50," not "$12.5." Unless you're feeling really casual, then you can round it off.
- Ranges: When you're talking about a range of prices, repeat the currency symbol or abbreviation. For example: "$50-$100" or "€20-€30."
- Dates and Money: If you're mentioning a specific date when talking about money, put the currency symbol or abbreviation after the date. For example: "On January 1, 2024, she had $10,000 in the bank."
How to... Money Questions
How to write out large sums of money in Chicago style?
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
- For amounts over one hundred dollars, use numerals and the dollar sign. For example: "$500,000."
How to write foreign currency in Chicago style?
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- Use the currency symbol or abbreviation. For example: "€500" or "EUR 500." Spell out the currency the first time you use it if it's unfamiliar.
How to write a range of prices in Chicago style?
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
- Repeat the currency symbol or abbreviation. For example: "$50-$100" or "€20-€30."
How to write money amounts with decimals in Chicago style?
- Use two decimal places. For example: "$12.50."
How to write money amounts with dates in Chicago style?
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
- Put the currency symbol or abbreviation after the date. For example: "On January 1, 2024, she had $10,000 in the bank."
There you have it! Now you're a money-writing master. Go forth and conquer the world of finance writing, one dollar at a time.
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