• Microw@lemm.eeOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    30 days ago

    I’m not a native speaker… interesting, why would that be phrased that way? It’s still multiple minutes?

    • JustinTheGM@ttrpg.network
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      30 days ago

      Generally, when describing a thing, the unit is written as singular. “15 minute delay”, “10 foot pole”, “5 gallon bucket”. When referring the unit itself though, it would be plural: “a delay of 15 minutes”, “the pole is 10 feet long”, “this bucket holds 5 gallons”. I’m sure there’s a more precise way to say this, but hopefully it helps.

      • maniclucky@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        30 days ago

        In the first case, the subject (object? I always get them confused) is delay (which is singular), and the adjective is “15 minute”.

        In the second, the thing is “minutes” (plural) modified by “15”.

    • tyler@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      30 days ago

      The delay is singular. So one delay for fifteen minutes is a fifteen minute delay.

      • Klear@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        29 days ago

        Not sure what that has to do with anything. Two delays are plural but two delays for fifteen minutes each would still be “two fifteen minute delays”.