numbers: reference numbers

Page numbers are usually written in Arabic numerals, but in prefatory material they may be written as lower-case Roman numerals:

  • page vii of the Foreword
  • page 7 of the Introduction

Within the body of the text, volume numbers may be indicated by Arabic or Roman numerals or be spelled out.

  • Volume 4
  • Volume IV
  • Volume Four

Numbers of chapters and other major divisions of a book may be spelled out, but are more often written in Roman or Arabic numerals—the tendency being away from Roman numerals in the case of both chapter and volume numbers.

  • Chapter Two
  • Chapter 2 (or Chapter II)

Verse numbers and those of minor divisions of a book are written as Arabic numerals:

  • I Kings 9:1–4
  • Volume 18, Section 8

Paragraphs may be numbered 1, 2, etc.; clauses within paragraphs, 1), 2), etc. Groups of paragraphs may be numbered with Roman numerals.

In citations from legislation and the like, numbers and letters designating parts of a section should be enclosed in parentheses, with no space between them:

  • subparagraph 123(4)(b)(ii)

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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