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angel-dolphin · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: japan

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!

Harmony · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 140

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

angel-dolphin · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: japan

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

Harmony · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 140

Right!

You're welcome! Very Happy

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

I found this on a website:

Harmony · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 140

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).

angel-dolphin · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: japan

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!!