Hi,
The comma is only rightly used for decimal numbers: "100,05", where
English usage requires a point: "100.05".
The comma is regarded as incorrect (though more and more frequent,
probably under the influence of Excel, and similar programmes) to mark
thousands, and correct usage requires a space: "1 000,05"
or "1 000 000,05"
With best regards.
Marc FRYD
Briony Williams wrote:
> Somers, Harold wrote:
>
>> Using "eventual(ly)" to mean "if it happens" rather than "final"
>
>
> I believe this is from the German "eventuell".
>
>> Using "resp." as an abbreviation to mean either "respectively" or
>> "and/or" (as in "tea resp. coffee").
>
>
> I believe this is from the usage of the German "beziehungsweise".
>
>> I look forward to seeing this list expanded and/or (or should I say
>> resp.) answers to your other questions.
>
>
> More generally:
>
> The use of the comma to indicate the decimal point, such as "3,142"
> instead of "3.142" (pi). This follows French and German usage.
>
> The use of the period/full stop instead of the comma to indicate
> "thousands", such as 1.000 instead of 1,000 for "one thousand". Again,
> this follows French and German usage.
>
> The combination of the above usages can be very confusing for a
> British person!
>
> Best regards
>
> Briony Williams
>
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