oh/O vs. zero vs naught [saying numbers]

[klloyd]

Hello Everyone,
I have a small doubt to ask you. Can naught be used as an alternative to zero, as in naught point three (for 0.3)? Is it correect way of using either in terms of English or Mathematics or both.
Thanks in advance
Kalpna

 

[Nocciolina]

I use naught quite frequently(or did). Here in Canada I haven;t heard it used and have even had people ask me what it means.
Naught trivia: In Canada the game 'naughts and crosses' is referred to as 'X's and O's'

 

[te gato]

Hello Everyone,
I have a small doubt to ask you. Can naught be used as an alternative to zero, as in naught point three (for 0.3)? Is it correect way of using either in terms of English or Mathematics or both.
Thanks in advance
Kalpna

Hey klloyd;
First of all, welcome to the forum...
Second..I agree with Nocciolina..here we say zero..or 'o'...
I have and still do say naught (nought) for meaning 'nothing'..
'So all my hard work was for naught?'...

tg

 

[panjandrum]

There has been a vigorous discussion on this topic here recently

Sorry, to reply directly to your 0.3 question, that would definitely be said as "nought point three" - more often than "zero point three" here.

 

[theinquisitor]

<< oh vs. zero >>

Hello,

I would like to know when the number 0 is pronounced these ways, is there any rule?

thanks in advance,

Inqui

<< Joined to previous thread. >>

 

[Metztli]

Hi inqui!

As long as I know, there's no rule... it's just a matter of style.

hope it helps!

 

[anwal]

Hello Inqui

Oh and Zero, there is no rule, as far as I know. However be careful if you are quoting or being quoted an alpha numeric reference.

 

[AWordLover]

If this is the numerical answer to something, like 5 times 0? The answer would be said "zero" not "oh".

When referring to James Bond, he is always Double Oh Seven (in the US).

I completely agree that there is no general rule. Using "Oh" is more informal, using "zero" can sometimes be overly exacting and formal. I would use zero in describing the digits of my phone number only because I am sometimes overly formal

 

[Suehil]

I agree, the only thing to remember would be to use 'zero' if it's mathematical.

 

[xrayspex]

If you want to really get retro, pronounce it "naught".

 

[NoClue]

I use oh because it's shorter. [Where's my smilie?]