Could you explain me please, why sometimes the word "mile" is used in singular, sometimes in plural, while in both cases it refers to several and not 1 mile.
Example:
They took part in a 26 mile long swimming race.
After 12 miles he got tired.
Thanks in advance to those who can enlighten me!
Best Answer
Adjectives in English do not change according to the plurality of the word they modify. So it will be mile if it is used as an adjective, which it is below.
It would take plural form if it was a noun.
However:
To be, being a copular verb, is special, and I think what's happening here is that 26 miles is a predicate nominative and long is technically an adverb modifying was.