数词的写法

Chapter 2　数词的写法 Amounts and Numbers

一、词语注释

1. authorize　vt. to grant authority or power to; to give permission for; to sanction授权，委托，委任；批准

2. capillary　n. 毛细管;毛细血管

3. caution　n. a warning that you should be careful 告诫，警告

4. channel　vt. to direct or guide along some desired course输送，传送

5. CIF　(Cost, Insurance and Freight) a trade term requiring the seller to arrange for the carriage of goods by sea to a port of destination, and provide the buyer with the documents necessary to obtain the goods from the carrier 到岸价（成本加保险费和运费）

6. cite　vt. to mention something as an example, explanation, or proof of something else举（例），列举

7. clear　vt. to gain (a given amount) as net profit or earnings 净赚

8. consistency　n. the ability to remain the same in behavior, attitudes, or qualities 一致，连贯

9. constitute　vt. to be the elements or parts of; to compose 组成；构成；形成

10. container vessel　a cargo ship designed to hold containerized cargoes集装箱船

11. contraction　n. the process of becoming smaller缩减；收缩

12. convention　n. a widely used and accepted device or technique, as in drama, literature, or painting惯例，常规

13. conversion　n. the process of changing from one system, method, or use to another转换，转变，转化

14. difference　n. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another差额

15. digit　n. one of the written numbers for 0 to 9（从0到9的）数字

16. domain　n. a sphere of activity, concern, or function领域，范围

17. dropout　n. one who quits school退学学生，辍学学生，中途退学

18. heed　vt. to give attention to; to consider seriously 注意；认真考虑

19. illustration　n. an example, event, fact etc. that shows that something else is true, or shows what something is like 实例，例证

20. indefinite　adj. not clear 不清楚的，模糊的，含糊的

21. inventory　n. the quantity of goods and materials on hand; stock 库存，盘存，存货

22. invoice　n. a list of goods supplied or work done, stating quantity and price 发票或发货清单

23. irrevocable　adj. impossible to retract or revoke不能取消的，不可废止的

24. misinterpret　vt. to form an understanding that is not correct 曲解，误释

25. municipality　n. a political unit, such as a city, town, or village, incorporated for local self-government自治市,自治区；市政府；市政当局

26. numeral　n. a symbol or mark used to represent a number 数字

27. obesity　n. the condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat 肥胖，肥胖症

28. outbound　adj. traveling away from a particular place 向外去的，外出的

29. outstanding　adj. not yet paid, resolved, or dealt with 未偿清的；拖欠的

30. PDA　(personal digital assistant) a lightweight, hand-held, usually pen-based computer used as a personal organizer 个人数字助理，掌上电脑

31. precaution　n. something done to protect people or things against possible harm or trouble预防，防备，警惕

32. receipt　n. the act of receiving something　收到

33. replacement　n. the act or process of replacing or of being replaced; substitution替换，代替，置换

34. reserve　n. a supply of something that a country or an organization can use when they need to储备

35. resolution　n. a formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly 决定，决议（案）

36. sponsor　n. a country, organization, or group that organizes and supports an activity举办者，支持者，组织者

37. stipulate　vt. to specify or arrange in an agreement规定，约定

38. subdivide　vt. to divide (something that is already divided) into smaller parts 再分；细分

39. surge　vi. to increase suddenly高涨

40. tender　n. a written offer to contract goods or services at a specified cost or rate; a bid投标

41. theme　n. the main subject of something such as a book, speech, art exhibition, or discussion（书、演讲、艺术展览或讨论的）主题，话题，议题

42. vary　vi. to be different in different situations 变化，相异

43. verbalization　n. expressing something in words言语表达

44. warranty　n. a guarantee given to the purchaser by a company stating that a product is reliable and free from known defects and that the seller will, without charge, repair or replace defective parts within a given time limit and under certain conditions保单；保证书

二、课文参考译文

我们通常用“数字”表示时间、日期、数量、金额、百分比、地址、发票号、图表等统计数字、或其他类似的非文本内容。本书中用“figure”和“numeral”来表示数字符号。为了让中国学生看得明白，有时在“figure”和“numeral”前用“Arabic（阿拉伯数字）”来进一步说明。本书还用“character（字符）”来指中文写作中采用的汉字。

从事商务工作的人应正确书写数字，这是最起码的要求。作为用英语或正学习用英语进行商务写作的中国人，我们应该做好准备，使用正确的、准确的数字，清楚地表达。无论是何种情形，我们都要遵循本章提出的原则。

为了方便不了解数词知识的学生，我们在副标题中的英语术语后加入了相应的中文，这种做法在其他各章中是没有的。

1. 数词的写法 Word Style or Numeral Style

数词是大多数商务沟通中的一个重要组成部分，有时它们代表最为关键的信息。注意了本章提供的数字指南，你就能避免一些可导致尴尬、耗时和耗资的错误。

我们给英语为母语的人写商务信函时，可用文字或数字两种方式来表达数额或数目。“文字方式”指某些数字用英语单词书写，而“数字方式”指某些数额用阿拉伯数字表示。

一般来说，在正式的书面沟通时，我们使用文字方式，而在写作日常的商务信函或个人书信时我们使用数字方式。不过，有几种情况需要用文字表示数字，尽管好像用数字方式更好一些。

1.1　个位数 The Ten-and-under Rule

用文字来表达1到9这些数，换句话说，把1到9还有0的数字拼写出来。有时，量词“10”也包括在内。这就是“个位数用文字表示”的规则。这些词是one，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine（“zero”和“naught”是最常用的表示零的词）。

1.2　两位数及以上 The Eleven-and-over Rule

用阿拉伯数字来表示10和10以上的数字。这便是“两位数及以上”的规则。有时，量词“10”不包括在内。

1.3　千与万 Thousand and Ten Thousand

英语表达的计量单位比汉语的多。这一差别让使用双语的中国商务人员有点头疼。

1.4　百万及以上 Over a Million

这一小节是前一小节的继续。另起一节的原因是为了把符合“两位数及以上”的规则的例子进行细分。英语里“million（百万）”和“billion（十亿）”是两个最常见的计量单位，而在汉语里没有。这一点需要中国撰写书信者注意。

我们写英语时需要把中文的数字进行转换。例如，我们在英语写作时，如果想到中国人口总数，现在大约是14亿，就要意识到一个“billion”就已经代表10亿了，所以应该写成“1.4 billion”。

2. 只能使用阿拉伯数词 Numerical Digits Only

前面列举的一些例子已经充分展示了切合这个标题的数字用法。在下面的情况中，需要使用阿拉伯数字，而不能用文字。

2.1　非文本信息 Non-Textual Information

目录、序号、统计数字、量度、时间、日期、年份、距离、公寓或房间号、门牌号码等等，我们只用阿拉伯数字表示。如果在图表或其他图示中出现用不同方式描述的数量，应该用阿拉伯数字表示。

2.2　项目列举Consistency in a Series

对于一组有内在联系的数字我们采用统一的形式。这里的“形式”指的是数字、文字、或数字和文字的混合。一组数字是彼此相关的数字，通常在一个句子或段落中描述同一事物。在项目列举时，不要拼写数字，而应用阿拉伯数字表达。

这一做法很重要，我们有必要从另外的角度来看：当两个或两个以上的相关数字出现在一个句子里时——有的数字是个位数，有的数字是两位数及以上，我们都用阿拉伯数字来表示。换句话说，一组数字必须保持一致性，而且要用阿拉伯数字来表示。

如果出现在一个句子里的两个或两个以上的数字之间没有联系，那么可以同时用阿拉伯数字和文字两种方式表示。

2.3　图表图形 Part of Graphs

所有列表、柱状图、示意图、文稿演示图画以及其他图表中的数字，需要用阿拉伯数字表示。

各列数字应该规则排列以便比较。

2.4　用于小数 In Decimals

同样，我们用阿拉伯数字来表达文中的小数。

3. 只能使用文字数词 Words Only

正和上一节的要求相反，这里我们将列举只能用文字表达数字的情况。

3.1　序数词 Ordinal Numbers

在大多数情况下，所有的序数词，特别是10以下的序数词都用文字来表示。

3.2　表示约数 Approximate Numbers

用文字来表示不确定的或大概的数额或数字。这是“个位数”和“两位数及以上”的规则的例外情况。

3.3　数词位于句首 Numbers to Begin Sentences

如果英语句子以一个数字开头，我们要用文字把它拼写出来。同样，这与前面的规则并不冲突。也就是说，即使在该句里的后面部分还有数字，句首的数字还是要用文字来表示。

有时，句首数字拼写出来时不止两个词，这时应改写句子，使句子在符合规则的同时又能保持其可读性。

4. 注意事项 Important Cautions

就像世上的所有规则一样，在前面列举的标准原则也会有例外情况。数额和数字的问题比各个小节中列举的要复杂得多。另外，英语为母语的国家不同，其数词使用方法也可能存在差异。

4.1　数、词皆可 Both Words and Digits

如果你为老板或同事写口头陈述，你要记住使用文字来表示数字，因为文字更便于他们大声朗读。这种特殊情况显示你很灵活，而不是违背了前面所述的规则。

这些情形下，数和词皆可用，即便句子里有两个或两个以上的数字或数额也可以。

4.2　度量衡 Units of Measurement

大多数国家采用公制。公制使用者会对像英寸、英尺、码、英里、加仑、夸脱和英亩这样的计量单位感到很迷惑。通常我们应该坚持采用一种度量衡制。我们给国外读者写信函时，应该按照他们的用法写。

4.3　数词毗连 Consecutive Numbers

一个句子中有两个不同单位数一前一后出现时，这两个数字叫“连续数字”。这时，我们用文字来表示更短的数字而用阿拉伯数字表示比较长的。“更短”指的是用文字拼写出来的字母数少一些。这种情况包括句中两个或两个以上的相关数字，而无需考虑是否符合“个位数”和“两位数及以上”的规则。

这么做的目的是为了避免混乱。为了这个目的，我们还可想别的办法。

如果两个不相关的数字一前一后出现在句中，我们称这两个数为“连续的非相关数字”。为了避免混乱，我们写连续的非相关的数字时需要用逗号把它们分开。

4.4　数词大小写 Alternative Expressions

在商务写作中，特别是涉及法律时，我们有些同时用文字和阿拉伯数字两种方法重复书写数字，把其中一种表达方式加括号。这也是出于准确和职业诚信的目的，避免产生误解。

5. 综合应用 Integrated Application

请认真阅读下面的句子和段落，想一想本章所学内容，改正相关错误。有些问题可以有两种或两种以上的修改、改进的方法。

三、练习参考答案

1. 数词的写法Word Style or Numeral Style

021 Classroom Workouts

1) D.

C. We’ll then finish a detailed sales strategies in the next five days.

A. We’ll then finish a detailed report of sales strategies in the next five work days.

2) C.

B. I collected four name cards in all, including one created by myself.

A. I collected four name cards, including one I created by myself.

3) D.

C. When we received the goods, unfortunately we found that eight PDAs are bad.

A1. When we received the goods, unfortunately, we found that eight PDAs were bad.

A2. When we received the goods, we found that eight of the PDAs were bad.

A3. We found that, unfortunately, eight of the PDAs we received did not work.

4) C.

D. Only 2 or 3 kinds of products were listed within the catalogue of best products of the exhibition.2

C1. Only 2 or 3 kinds of products were listed as the best products in the exhibition.

C2. Only two or three kinds of products were listed with the Best Products of the Exhibition.

B1. Only two or three kinds of products were listed on the list of the best products of the exhibition.

B2. Only two or three kinds of products were listed within the best products of the exhibition.

B3. Only two or three products were listed within the best products on the exhibition.

A1. Only two or three products were listed as the Best Products at the exhibition.

A2. Only two or three products were listed as the best products at the exhibition.

5) D.

C. Only 1 to 2 books were listed within the 100 Best Sellers of the domestic book market.

B. Only one or two books were listed on the list of the 100 best sellers of the Chinese book market.

A. Only one or two books were listed as the “100 Best Sellers” of the XX book market.

022 Classroom Workouts

1)

B1. In Beijing, according to a survey, the best kindergartens charge each child RMB70,000 yuan to 80,000 yuan for a school year.

B2. In Beijing, the best kindergartens charge a child RMB 70,000-80,000 per year.

A1. In Beijing, the best kindergarten charges a child RMB70,000-80,000 per year.

A2. In Beijing, some of the best kindergartens charge a child RMB70,000-80,000 per year.

A3. In Beijing, some of the best kindergartens charge RMB70,000-80,000 yuan a child per school year.

A4. In Beijing, some of the best kindergartens charge RMB70,000-80,000 yuan per child a school year.

2)

B. Primary pupils in English-speaking countries often need 12 inch rulers in their arithmetic classes.

A. Primary students in English-speaking countries often need 12-inch rulers …

3)

C1. We make a special 3% discount on the order one thousand bicycles and more than one thousand bicycles.

C2. You will earn a special 3 percent discount if you have the order of one thousand bicycles or more than one thousand bicycles.

C3. You’ll get a special 3% discount if the number of bicycles you ordered is greater than or equal to one thousand.

C4. You will enjoy a special discount of 3 percent if you buy one thousand bicycles or more.

B. We provide a special discount of three percent on the order of 1,000 bicycles and above.

A1. We allow a special discount of 3% on an order of 1,000 and over bicycles.

A2. We would like to allow a special discount of 3 percent on an order of 1,000 bicycles or more.

A3. You’ll get a special 3% discount if the number of bicycles you order is 1,000 or more.

4)

D. The producing place of our products will be represented by 75 companies in these 20 areas.

D. The whole range of our products will be shown by 75 companies in these 20 provinces.

B. The whole range of our products will be represented at 75 companies in these 20 provinces.

A1. All of our products will be represented by 75 companies in these 20 provinces and cities.

A2. The complete lines of our products will be represented by 75 companies in these 20 cities and provinces.

A3. All our products /All our product lines will be represented by 75 agencies in these 20 cities and provinces.

5)

B1. If we buy thirty units the cost will be $187 each, but it will be $165 a piece if we buy one hundred or more units.

B2. If we buy only 30 units the price will be $187 each. But if we buy 100 or more, it will drop to $165 a piece.

A1. It costs US$187 each for 30 units and $165 each for 100 or more.

A2. It costs USD187.00 each for 30 units and USD165.00 each for 100 or more.

A3. If we buy only 30 units, the price per unit will be USD187, but it will be USD165 apiece if we buy 100 or more units /100 units or more.

3. 只能使用文字数词 Words Only

023 Classroom Workouts

1) B1.

B2. We had an accident in 2010.

A1. Until the year of 2010 we didn’t have any accidents.

A2. The latest accident that this company had was in 2010.

A3. There was an accident in 2010 at /with the company.

2) B.

A. In 2005 we founded our third factory in Rizhao city, Shandong province.

3) C.

D1. Sponsors of the conference will gain short-term and long-term benefits 100%.

D2. The sponsors of conference will surely | win short-term and long-term benefits.

B1. One hundred percent of the sponsors of the conference will win short-term and long-term benefit.

B2. A hundred percent of the sponsors of the conference will get both short-term and long-term benefits.

A1. All the sponsors of this conference will receive short-term and long-term benefits.

A2. All the conference sponsors will benefit, both short-term and long-term.

A3. All the sponsors of the conference will collect both short-term and long-term benefits.

4) C1.

C2. No. 226 contract calls for 20-ton fertilizers which should be delivered in October.

C3. Twenty tons fertilizers should be delivered in October under the terms of the No. 226 contract.

B. Twenty tons of fertilizer should be delivered on October 4 as the No. 226 contract requires.

A1. Twenty tons of fertilizer shall be delivered in October as the No. 226 contract calls for.

A2. Twenty tons of fertilizer should be delivered in October as Contract No. 226 calls for.

A3. Exactly 20 tons of fertilizer shall be delivered in October …

5) B.

A1. In the last year of the last century, the company established trade relations with that Brazilian company.

A2. It was in 1999 when the company established trade relations with that Brazilian company.

A3. The company established trade relations with that Brazilian company in 1999.

A4. The company established, in 1999, trade relations with that Brazilian company.

5. 综合应用 Integrated Application

024 Homework for Submission

1)

D. This breakfast cereal can be eaten only 1.5 minutes after cooking.

C1. This cereal breakfast can be eaten after only being cooked for 1.5 minutes.

C2. This breakfast cereal can be enjoyed after being cooked for only 1.5 minutes.

A1. This cereal breakfast can be eaten after a mere 90-second cooking.

A2. This cereal breakfast can be eaten after only 90 seconds of cooking.

A3. This breakfast cereal can be served after 90 seconds of micro oven cooking.

2)

D. The project has already been finished 1/2, and we have only 2 months left.

C. We had finished a half of work for the project, and we had only two months left.

B1. The project is already half finished, and we had only two months left.

B2. The project is already one-half finished, and we have only two months left.

A1. The project is already half finished, and we have only two months left.

A2. The project was already half finished, and we had only two months left.

A3. Half of the project has already been finished, and there is only two months left for us.

3) B.

A1. Among those surveyed, 80% had no knowledge of …

A2. Eighty percent of those surveyed had no knowledge of …

A3. About 80 percent of all those surveyed had no knowledge of …

A4. Among those surveyed, 80 percent did not know what constituted a healthy diet.

4) C.

D1. The company sold 8,500-meter cables with 200 volts last month.

D2. The company sold eight thousand 500 meter long and 220 volt cables last month.

D3. The company sold eight thousand five hundred meters of two-hundred-twenty-volt cables last month.

A1. The company sold 8,500 meters of 220-volt cables last month.

A2. The company sold last month 8,500 meters of 220-volt cables.

5) B1.

D. Our company totally owns 12 departments, 345 staff members, and 6 factories in three provinces. [A company does not own staff members, who can be its assets, though.]

C1. There are twelve departments, 345 staff members, and six factories in three provinces of our company.

C2. Our company has twelve departments, three hundred and forty-five staff members, and six factories in three provinces.

B2. There are 12 departments, 345 staff members, and six factories in three provinces in our company.

A1. Our company has 12 departments, 345 staff members, and 6 factories in three provinces.

A2. There are in our company 12 departments, 345 employees, and 6 factories in three provinces.

6) C1.

C2. Sixty-five % of all those questioned at the entrance had no knowledge of what products our company produces.

B1. About 65% of all those questioned at the entrance had no knowledge of what products our company produces.

B2. Sixty-five percent of all those questioned at the entrance had no knowledge of what products our company produces.

7) B1.

D. A study showed that in 2011, 44% of Chinese companies provided performancerelated pay (PRP) for half of their employees.

C. One study found that in 2011, 44% of Chinese companies had performance-related pay (PRP) plans for a half of their employees.

B2. A study shows that 44% of Chinese companies had performance-related pay (PRP) plans for half of their employees in 2011.

A. One study showed that 44% of the Chinese companies had in 2011 performancerelated pay (PRP) plans for half of their employees.

8) C.

B1. In the past 60 years, China gradually improved in the living standard of her people and provided essential food and clothes for 1.3 billion people.

B2. In the past 60 years, China gradually improved the living of her people and provided essential food and clothes for 1.3 billion people.

B3. In the past 60 years, China gradually improved the living of her 1.3 billion people by providing essential food and clothes.

9) B.

A. In the last four years, beginning from zero, the export volume of this company reached 20 million yuan, and it has made a target of 100 million for the coming five years.

10) C.

B. Young people are China’s main users of the Internet. Among 15-to-24-year-old young people, about 67.8% have used the Internet. Among the 25-34-year-old people, about 87.6% have used the Internet. Among the 35-to-44-year-old people, about 56.7% have used it. And among the 45-to-54-year-old, about 23.4% have used the Internet.

A. Young people are the dominant users of the Internet in China. Among the 15-24 year-olds, about 67.8 percent of home computer users have used the Internet. This figure is 87.6 percent for the 25-34 age group, 56.7 percent for the 35-44 demographic and 23.4 percent for people who are between 45 and 54 years old.