Hi, I was wondering if I could get some opinions on the proper way to write 2- to 3-year-olds. Here is an example: "The number of 2- to 3-year-olds enrolled in daycare increase this year." We'd like to stick with numerals rather than writing out the numbers, but what do you think the best form is? The author I'm working for insists "2-3-year-olds" is fine, especially in social science literature, but it doesn't look good or read smoothly to me, and I think it creates confusion, whereas "2- to 3-year-olds" doesn't. Just my opinion. What do you think is right? Thanks!
I would say "....2 and 3 year-olds..." rather than specifying a span of 2 to 3. Also, "increase" doesn't work. Should be "increased", "will increase", "is expected to increase" or some similar variation.
Okay, that's fine, but imagine 4- to 6-year-olds. Also, if there is no hyphen between 3 and year, is that not saying that 2 or 3 one-year-old people? Thanks for your quick response.
The number of children, ages two to three, enrolled in daycare has increased this year. How 'bout that?
Does it really need the hyphens? They just seem superfluous to me, perhaps that's why it doesn't quite read well.
Those are good suggestions, but we use this so many times in so many articles (it's an edited volume), that we really need some for of "#- #-year-olds". I guess my question should have been, is "#-#-year-olds" correct at all?
I would say that 2-3-year olds is not correct, and I completely agree that it's difficult to read. Usually numbers under ten (and sometimes under 100) are written out. So "two" is more correct than "2" in your sentence. I think this is how your sentence should be written: The number of two- to three-year-olds enrolled in daycare increased this year. You might also find these links useful: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/Numbers/Numbers_questions01.html http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070806165658AAHK8Yv
I think you're right: "The number of two- to three-year-olds enrolled in daycare increased this year." I think we might still get away with using the numeral, but this is what, I just learned, Chicago suggests (took a lot of Google searches to get there). http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/HyphensEnDashesEmDashes/HyphensEnDashesEmDashes12.html
Well, this topic has been batted back and forth for a few hours, but I feel like I should throw in my two cents. Both "2- to 3-year-olds" and "two- to three-year-olds" are correct, but if this is for a social science article, I would recommend using the numerals. Numbers tend not to be spelled out in most science-related texts.
Out of context, I can't understand WHEN this is happening. Do you mean THE NUMBER (sıngular) of children: HAS increased/WILL increase/IS increasing/increaseS ??? Is this going to happen, happening at the moment, or has it already happened so far? Maybe this is the British approach, but I would say: The number of 2-3 year olds enrolled in daycare WILL increase (?) this year. OR: The number of children in the 2-3 age group enrolled in daycare is increasing (?) this year. It's fine to use numerals for information like this.
saying '2 to 3 year old' is how I would do it. The number of 2 to 3 year old children enrolled in daycare is increasing (?) this year.
