8

USAGE SUMMARY

'8' is a correct and usable English word.
You can use it as a written numeral or, in certain contexts, as a stand-in for the word 'ate'. For example, "I 8 two pieces of pizza for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Shad made his overture: "I'm gay, and when Prop. 8 passed, last year, it was a huge slap in the face for me.

The Economist

Channel 4 began with 1.7 million viewers (8%) from 9pm, rising to 2 million viewers (9.1%) for a Last Leg special with Adam Hills at 9.30pm and 1.9 million viewers (10%) for a Gogglebox election edition at 10pm.

The Guardian

If everyone who usually spends their days watching The Big Bang Theory was forced out to vote by a lack of anything else to do, we'll be plunged into the nightmarish reality of a socialist government come 8 May.

The Guardian

Gordon Brown had delivered many speeches on the referendum, but they had barely received any attention outside Scotland – until he roared into action in a speech on the evening of Monday 8 September in the small Midlothian town of Loanhead.

The Guardian

8 min: From the middle, Huddlestone picks out Lennon, who is far too quick for left-back Mejac and gets in behind the defender before pulling the ball back across the face of goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.42am BST09:4th4th over: England 15-0 (Taylor 8, Edwards 7) Another sharp single off the first ball of Jonassen's over, and a direct this time, but Edwards is home.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Related: Spy agencies fund climate research in hunt for weather weapon, scientist fears Like so many military experiments, these trials failed but cloud seeding became a reality in 1967/8 when the US's Operation Popeye increased rainfall by an estimated 30% over parts of Vietnam in an attempt to reduce the movement of soldiers and resources into South Vietnam.

The Guardian

Consider this: 62% of the survey's respondents hold more than 10% of their portfolio in cash, while 8% now have more than 50% in cash – in spite of the fact that, as US Trust officials note, they're actually becoming more positive about the outlook for financial markets.

The Guardian - Money

Despite reports of an 8% increase in GDP last year, living standards and employment do not appear to be rising, with an estimated 5-6 million Uzbeks going abroad to find work each year.

The Guardian

Even now, it is not clear whether the policy is all that effective with the annual rise in credit for investment purposes rising by 10%, which is a large factor behind house price growth at a solid 7.5% to 8% with Sydney prices up around 14%.

The Guardian

Since we allowed this, over 14,000 offences have been successfully matched to over 8,000 suspects including over 100 murders and 100 rapes - and as far as I am aware, no one is on the database for dropping litter!

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, especially at the beginning of a sentence, spell out "eight" instead of using the numeral "8". For example, "Eight candidates participated in the debate" is preferred over "8 candidates participated in the debate".

Common error

Avoid using the numeral "8" in formal documents, such as academic papers or business reports, where spelling out the number "eight" is more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The numeral "8" primarily functions as a cardinal number, representing a specific quantity. It can also function as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the number of items or entities. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the numeral "8" is a grammatically correct and widely used representation of the number eight. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity, suggesting that it is primarily employed for quantification across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While it is generally accepted in most forms of communication, formal writing often favors spelling out "eight" instead. The numeral's prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its consistent and reliable usage, making it an integral part of everyday language and numerical expression.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the number eight

Explicitly states that "eight" is being referred to as a number.

the digit 8

Focuses on "8" as a numerical digit.

eight units

Replaces the numeral with a description of quantity.

the eighth

Changes from numeral to ordinal form.

a group of eight

Emphasizes a collective of eight items or entities.

VIII

Uses Roman numeral representation.

More alternative expressions

6 8

8 10

8 00

eight year

the 8th

8 above

08

of august

7 8

0 8

august of

eight out

is eight

8 thereof

july 8

section 8

8th

8 5

8 0

8 30

FAQs

When should I spell out the number "eight" instead of using the numeral "8"?

In formal writing, it's generally preferred to spell out numbers from one to nine. Therefore, "eight" should be spelled out in sentences unless it's part of a larger number (e.g., 18) or in contexts where numerals are standard (e.g., dates, statistics).

What are some common contexts where the numeral "8" is typically used?

The numeral "8" is commonly used in dates (e.g., August 8), statistics (e.g., "8% increase"), addresses (e.g., "8 Main Street"), and mathematical expressions. It's also used in informal writing and digital communication.

Is it ever acceptable to use "8" as a substitute for another word in English?

Yes, in very informal contexts, "8" can be used as a homophone for "ate". However, this usage is limited to casual writing and should be avoided in formal communication.

What is the significance of the number "8" in different cultures?

The number "8" holds cultural significance in various societies. For instance, in Chinese culture, "8" is considered a lucky number because its pronunciation is similar to the word for prosperity. These cultural associations, however, do not affect its grammatical usage.