Board Thread:Wiki discussion/@comment-6517-20190219121823

I'd like to propose an amendment to our Manual of Style regarding the convention on writing out dates; more specifically, years.

Currently, the MoS states:

"Years should be marked with BCE or CE in accordance with the Common Era notation system. CE should be omitted from a year if there is no need for such clarification within the context of the writing."

I am of the opinion that this gives far to much leeway and opens up the possibility of confusion regarding dates that fall close to the BCE/CE crossover. So, I'd like to propose the following be included in the MoS:

1. All BCE years will require "BCE" be written out, no exceptions.
2. In those instances where a subject was born (or created) BCE and died (or was destroyed) CE, the second date will require "CE" to be written out, no exceptions. (e.g. 13 BCE–48 CE)
3. Any exclusively CE dates written out that fall between 1 CE and 999 CE will require "CE" to be written out except in the following instances:
   1. If the second date is 1,000 CE or later (e.g. 989–1191)
4. Any CE dates that fall exclusively after 1,000 CE will not require "CE" to be written.

This is a draft proposal and is open to input from the community.<ac_metadata title="Dating conventions (MoS amendment)"> </ac_metadata>