Which gramamtical structure is better..

[yanx]

Hi,

Which of the following structures is better, to reach, reaching, which structure or with structure? Why? If they are all correct, are there any subtle differences among them?

1 . The population count in this census topped 2,000,000 people, with a total count of 2,028,283. (the original sentence in an article on population statistics)

2. The population count in this census topped 2,000,000 people, reaching 2,028,283 in total. (I changed the latter part to 'reaching'..)

3. The population count in this census topped 2,000,000 people to reach 2,028,283.
(I changed the ending part)
4. The population count in this census topped 2,000,000 people,which came to 2,028,283. (the same goes for this.)

Thank you!

If you can explain in details I would highly appreciate it !

TY

 

[5jj]

The first three appear fine. The fourth is not acceptable; there is no satisfactory antecedent for 'which'.

 

[yanx]

The first three appear fine. The fourth is not acceptable; there is no satisfactory antecedent for 'which'.

Thanks, but some sources say that do not begin or end a sentence with a numeral.. what does that mean? Does it mean that in informal situations, just like the sentences in my questions, it is ok to end a sentence with a numeral, but in relatively more formal situations, like writing paper, sending emails,etc. I should not do so?

Thanks again!

 

[5jj]

Thanks, but some sources say that do not begin or end a sentence with a numeral. [STRIKE]w[/STRIKE] What does that mean?

It means that your sources have invented a rule that does not apply to English.

 

[yanx]

It means that your sources have invented a rule that does not apply to English.

Well, if that is the case, I have another question, as far as the sentence ending with a numeral is concerned, is it fine to write something like the following in a paper or an business email:

1. From 2010 to 2011, the number rose from 1000 to 1500. We can see from the figure that...

2. The quantity (in kilogram) of the product is 800.

If the source that I found is not reliable,please advise if the above sentences ending with numerals which are not written out are grammatically acceptable and correct in the use of numbers.

Thanks a lot!!!

 

[5jj]

1. From 2010 to 2011, the number rose from 1000 to 1500. We can see from the figure that...

2. The quantity (in kilogram) of the product is 800.

#1 is fine.
#2 is not - we simply would not say that. We'd say/write:

The product weighs 800 kg/kilograms/kilogrammes.
The weight of the product is 800 kg/etc.

 

[yanx]

#1 is fine.
#2 is not - we simply would not say that. We'd say/write:

The product weighs 800 kg/kilograms/kilogrammes.
The weight of the product is 800 kg/etc.

Ok, I see. Thanks.. Just want to prove that ending a sentence with numerals is ok. :up:

 

[Rover_KE]

I would add commas to '... the number rose from 1,000 to 1,500'.

It's usually recommended not to start a sentence with a numeral, but to write out the number in words:

'Two million tourists visited the Tower of London last year.'

But it's fine to start a sentence with the year:

'2011 has been a lousy year for me so far.'

Rover

 

[yanx]

Thanks!

 

[Barb_D]

I saw the advice in the other forum to never start or end a sentence with a numeral. I agreed that it's bad style to start a sentence with a numeral but I had never before seen guidance to not end with one. I was surprised to see that statement. I don't follow that advice myself.

 

[yanx]

I saw the advice in the other forum to never start or end a sentence with a numeral. I agreed that it's bad style to start a sentence with a numeral but I had never before seen guidance to not end with one. I was surprised to see that statement. I don't follow that advice myself.

Thank you! :-D