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fraction

 
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angel-dolphin



Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 19
Location: japan

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:02 am    Post subject: fraction Reply with quote

hello^__^
i have a question about how to write fraction.
what is the difference between "one-third" and "one third"?
they both mean 1/3 right?
these are the sentences i found.
-About one-third of the earth's surface is land.
-The figure shows an increase in production of about one third above that of the correspondiny period of last year.

i need your help!
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Harmony



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They both mean the same thing. The hyphen isn't needed. Smile
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angel-dolphin



Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 19
Location: japan

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the hyphen is not needed, but it's not wrong to write it, right?
thank you, Harmony!!
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Harmony



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right!

You're welcome! Very Happy
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LucentShade



Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 542
Location: Nebraska, USA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I found this on a website:

Quote:
Do not use a hyphen with spelled out fractions used as nouns. Hyphenate spelled out fractions used as adjectives.

three fourths of an inch
two-thirds majority
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Harmony



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks LucentShade. Nice catch! I forgot to think about the different parts of speech. I thought the first sentence didn't look right. Thanks to you, I now know why. Smile

So - - - - About one-third of the earth's surface is land. is NOT correct. It should be one third because it's a noun.

The hyphenated form is used only as an adjective, like this: Scientists have seen a one-third decrease in the volume of . . . (whatever).
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angel-dolphin



Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 19
Location: japan

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thank you guys!!i got it!
maybe it's the same differece as
- she is sixteen years old.
- she is a sixteen-year-old girl.
right?!
thnaks you so much!!
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