15

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "15" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity, a number in a sequence, or an age, among other contexts.
Example: "I have 15 apples in the basket."
Alternatives: "fifteen" or "the number 15".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Film

Arts

Opinion

Tech

Travel

Business

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"But I look at people who have been in politics for five, 10, 15 years, and muck up, you see them muck up and think, 'You guys are supposed to be pro!' "People that have gone to Oxbridge, had thousands spent on their education, and I mean they are royally mucking up".

The Guardian - Sport

"We've been selling print books for 15 years and Kindle books for less than four years".

The New York Times - Tech

Chill for 30 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That was 60 years ago".

The New York Times

He announced pay cuts of about 5 percent for civil servants — and 15 percent for government ministers — as well as other measures totaling 15 billion euros.

The New York Times

"During this depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that, for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Franklin D Roosevelt stated in 1935, referring to the world's biggest and littlest star.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Chatto & Windus; £15.

The Economist

In 2002 Art Solidari won a €15,000 prize from the city council and that allowed Blasco and López to employ a part-time co-ordinator, the NGO's only paid employee, to recruit and manage the volunteers and the workshops they run.

The Guardian

To paraphrase one exec, we think cancer can be cured for £15 per annum.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

First-round opponent: [15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) Smyczek skipped the European clay-court season entirely, opting to stay in the US and play some matches on the Har-Tru Challenger circuit in the southern US.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "15" in formal writing, ensure it is consistent with the style guide being followed (e.g., APA, MLA). Some styles require numbers below twenty to be spelled out.

Common error

Avoid mixing numerical and written forms of numbers within the same context. If "15" is used, other similar numbers should also be represented numerically unless there's a specific reason to spell them out.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "15" is as a numeral, specifically a cardinal number. It denotes a quantity or count. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts, confirming its direct numerical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Film

5%

Arts

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The numeral "15" is a fundamental element in written English, serving primarily as a cardinal number to denote quantity, age, or measurement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across numerous contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its register can shift based on the surrounding text. Representing the number as "fifteen" offers a stylistic alternative suited for formal writing where appropriate. Common errors involve inconsistency in style, which can be easily avoided by adhering to established style guides. The contexts from news and sports to lifestyle, show its widespread usage.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fifteen

Spelled-out form of the number.

around 15

Similar to "approximately 15", suggesting a number close to "15".

about 15

Another way to express an approximate quantity.

approximately 15

Indicates an estimated quantity around the number "15".

something around 15

Specifies that the quantity is near "15" but not exact.

15 or so

Suggests a number slightly above or below "15".

FAQs

How do I use "15" in a sentence?

Use "15" to denote a specific quantity, age, or measurement. For example: "She is 15 years old" or "The project requires 15 volunteers".

Is it better to write "15" or "fifteen"?

The choice between "15" and "fifteen" depends on the context and style guide. Generally, "fifteen" is preferred in formal writing when the number is not a measurement or part of a larger number. Always refer to the specific style guide for definitive rules.

What are some ways to say something is close to "15" without using the exact number?

You can use alternatives like "approximately 15", "around 15", or "about 15" depending on the level of precision needed.

When is it appropriate to use "15th" instead of "15"?

Use "15th" when indicating position in a sequence or a date. For example, "the 15th of July" or "the 15th participant".