student asking question

In "four and a half minutes", why is there "a" even it has plural of "minutes"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"A" is before "half" because a singular "half" is being referred to. Using "and a half", even when the word that follows is plural, is correct. This is how time and measurements are said in English. Ex: I will be there in one and a half hours! Ex: You will need two and a half cups of flour for this recipe.

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