12

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "12" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used as a number, though there may be some contexts where it can also be used as a word. For example, you could say, "I will be arriving at twelve o'clock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Scheduled to make the 1,492km 9277 miles) journey every day except Christmas Day, the A320 plane has seen passengers delayed for as little as two minutes and as long as 12 hours and 18 minutes.

The Guardian - Money

For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(Howard) 25. (Reagan Arthur) 26.

The New York Times

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm - 9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian Building, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

Gray died a week after he was arrested on 12 April, then handcuffed and shackled in the back of a police van without a seatbelt.

The Guardian

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm-9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian building at Kings Place, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

First and foremost, there is the need for a comprehensive spending review for 2011/12 onwards.

The Guardian

It has been created by Thorntons to mark the company's 100th birthday and, after months of top-secret cooking, the 5,792.5kg (12,770lb) treat was unveiled to staff and visitors at the confectioner's headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Beware: no wetsuits allowed … From £12, 2 February, chillswim.com Discover Adventure has a new challenge for 2013: a nine-day coast-to-coast ride from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Pyrenees.

The Guardian - Travel

In a 300-less world, Man of Steel might have been directed by someone who wasn't an angry 12-year-old boy.

The Guardian - Film

The old collection of buildings that made up the original concentration camp was not big enough to house all those caught in mass arrests, so inmates were forced to work 12- to 15-hour days to construct a new camp next door that would become notorious as the Nazis' biggest death camp.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about numbers, be consistent in your style. If you write out numbers below ten, use numerals for "12" and above. Consider context (formal/informal) when determining whether to spell out "twelve" or use "12".

Common error

Avoid mixing numerals and spelled-out numbers within the same context unless there's a clear reason to do so. Choose one format and stick to it for consistency and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "12" is as a numeral, specifically a cardinal number. It quantifies nouns, indicating a specific count, as shown in Ludwig's examples such as "12 months" or "12 participants".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "12" functions primarily as a numeral to denote the quantity twelve. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When writing, maintain consistency in number formatting and be mindful of the level of formality required. For related concepts, consider using "dozen" when referring to a group of twelve items.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dozen

Replaces the numerical value with a collective noun for twelve items.

twelve units

Adds specificity by explicitly stating the units being counted.

a group of twelve

Emphasizes the collective aspect of the number.

a dozen items

Specifies that it refers to items rather than another type of count.

twelve individuals

Emphasizes the individual nature of the quantity

one dozen

Uses the numerical "one" to state the quantity.

More alternative expressions

the twelve

twelve

and twelve

of twelve

december of

changes

0 12

data

standings

12 h

12 15

21

12th

12 7

children

principles

12 years of age

120

samples

comments

FAQs

How do I use "12" in a sentence?

Use "12" as a numeral to represent the number twelve. For example, "There are 12 months in a year".

When should I spell out "twelve" instead of using "12"?

Generally, spell out numbers one through nine. Use numerals for 10 and above unless it's at the beginning of a sentence or in formal writing where spelling out all numbers is preferred. For example, "Twelve students attended the seminar".

What are some synonyms for "12"?

A synonym for "12" is "dozen", which specifically refers to a group of twelve items.

Is it ever incorrect to use "12" in written English?

It's rarely incorrect to use "12", but context matters. In highly formal writing, you might spell it out. Ensure it's clear and consistent with your chosen style guide.