''A $100 Million'' ;-)

Discussion in 'CastingWords' started by hapless, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. hapless

    hapless Guest

    If I'm not mistaken, the recommended way to transcribe
    "a hundred million dollars" is: "a $100 million".

    I can understand how such a format emerges from the transcription rules. ... Still, I can't help but find it slightly awkward to read.

    My tiny brain scans left-to-right (for the most part),
    first parsing "a $100" -- which I 'hear' incorrectly as
    "a one hundred dollars" ;) -- and then "million."
    ... Finally, my tiny brain 'backtracks' and 're-reads'
    as originally spoken: "a hundred million dollars."

    I suppose "a $100 million" looks perfectly clear
    to most of you; not awkward at all?
     
  2. ewd76

    ewd76 User

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Likes Received:
    0
    They seriously want you to add the "a" in front of $100 million?
     
  3. hapless

    hapless Guest

    Suppose you're transcribing (for example) this statement from audio:

    "... My last job paid a hundred million dollars."

    Then (if I'm not mistaken) that should be transcribed as follows:

    "... My last job paid a $100 million."

    Though somewhat awkward IMO, that is the recommendation as I understand it.

    I quote from a CW Note that I received in June 2012:
    > CW Notes: "a hundred million dollars" is specific enough that it can be "a $100 million"

    See also the "Special rules for money" subsection of the current Style Guide. (Read it carefully. I hope you'll find it easier to understand than I do.)
     
    #3 hapless, Jan 15, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 15, 2013
  4. ewd76

    ewd76 User

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Likes Received:
    0
    I doubt it. That's the main reason I haven't done any of them. It looks about as easy to understand as the tax code.
     
  5. hapless

    hapless Guest

    I hope that it would be considered correct to transcribe: "98 cents". I hope that we should not write: "$0.98"?
     
    #5 hapless, Jan 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 17, 2013
  6. hapless

    hapless Guest

    From the style guide's money rules:

    > "... When a specific whole number is given along with 'hundred' or 'thousand,' then use numerals. Do this: 'nearly three thousand dollars' becomes nearly $3,000; 'something like a hundred bucks' stays something like a hundred bucks."

    I'm probably still confused.

    As noted, "something like a hundred bucks"
    would be transcribed thus.

    How should I transcribe: "something like one hundred bucks"?
    Should I write: "something like 100 bucks"?

    How should I transcribe: "about a hundred bucks"?
    should I write: "about a hundred bucks"?

    How should I transcribe: "about one hundred bucks"?
    Should I write: "about 100 bucks"?
     
  7. hapless

    hapless Guest

    (... Continued from my previous post ...)

    If we assume that my understanding may be correct thus far ... (is it?) ...

    ... then I suppose that I am somewhat uncomfortable about the difference in rules, using numeric transcription for "one hundred bucks" (as "100 bucks") but not for "a hundred bucks".

    This might further vex me if I someone were to say: "an hundred bucks" -- which (in rapid or slurred speech) might sound like "one hundred bucks." :eek:

    I'm also uncomfortable with any difference in numeric vs. non-numeric rules for monetary vs. non-monetary values. For example:

    If indeed "a hundred bucks" should be transcribed in words, while "one hundred bucks" becomes numeric "100 bucks" -- must I use different rules for 'similar' but non-monetary values such as "a hundred ducks," "one hundred ducks"?
     
  8. hapless

    hapless Guest

    (... Continued from my previous post ...)

    Suppose someone says:

    "... a half a million dollars ..."

    That should be transcribed in words, right?


    Suppose someone says:

    "... exactly half a million dollars ..."

    How should that be transcribed?
    (1) "exactly half a million dollars"?
    (2) "exactly one-half million dollars"? (Surely not this!)
    (3) "exactly $500,000"?

    Which form would be correct in this case?
    I believe choice (1) would be correct.
     
    #8 hapless, Jan 18, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2013
  9. hapless

    hapless Guest

    (... Continued from my previous post ...)

    Revisiting the previous questions:


    How shall we transcribe:

    "a half a million dollars"?

    Should we write:
    (1) "a half a million dollars"?
    (2) "half a million dollars"?
    (3) "a half million dollars"?
    (4) "a half-million dollars"?
    (5) "one-half million dollars"? (Surely not this!)
    (6) "$500,000"?


    How shall we transcribe:

    "exactly half a million dollars"?

    Should we write:
    (1) "exactly half a million dollars"?
    (2) "exactly half-a-million dollars"?
    (3) "exactly one-half million dollars"? (Surely not this!)
    (4) "exactly $500,000"?
    (5) "$500,000"?
     
  10. naturegirl

    naturegirl User

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2012
    Messages:
    701
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for adding the context for your style question to the money bit.

    Correct per CW's style. :)

    All correct. The key is whether "one" or "a" is used. For "one" or another number, you convert to the numeral. For "a," you don't convert but keep it as prose.

    It is!

    You shouldn't, yay! Except...you'll be a lot happier in transcription if you recognize that although you can have personal hopes, what's correct style for a company or client is always what the company or client has asked for. Whether you agree with their interpretation of grammar and style or not, the work is to follow it. That might be the part of the job that disagrees with you.

    Speaking of which...

    You're correct again in your understanding for the "bucks" cases. But then with the ducks...it seems like you're trying to apply the style rules for currency to make them general number style. No need. :) If it specifies that these are only currency rules (and it does), then that's all they apply to.

    Choice 1 in both cases. Sounds like you understand the style better than you may think! And that might be part of what is stressing you out---you're sorta overthinking it and overworrying. :)
     
    #10 naturegirl, Jan 19, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2013

Share This Page