Learn English – Why is “for a tortuous three days” singular even though days is plural

singular-vs-pluralword-orderword-usage

I was surprised to find out that you should write:

I waited for a torturous three days.

Instead of:

I waited for torturous three days.

Why is this? "Days" is plural …

Best Answer

In phrases that follow this pattern:

a {modifier} {number} {plural noun relating to time}

{plural noun} is understood to be a duration.

She spent a nervous thirty minutes waiting to be interviewed for the job.

We spent a pleasant two weeks at the lake.

He worked a grueling three years in the desert.

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