a mere 5 percent

Question

Hi,My textbook has the following sentence:"You must keep in mind that the employment rate for actors is a mere 5 percent at any given time, and the average annual earnings are only $6,000 per person."My question is about "a mere 5 percent":Why does that part have "a" and "5"?Thanks in advance.

Clive · Accepted Answer

My textbook has the following sentence:
"You must keep in mind that the employment rate for actors is a mere 5 percent at any given time, and the average annual earnings are only $6,000 per person."

My question is about "a mere 5 percent":
Why does that part have "a" and "5"?

5 because the amount is 5 percent, eg not 1 percent. not 3 percent. etc.

With no adjective, you would simply write the employment rate . . . is 5 percent.
But when you add an adjective, you are thinking that different kinds of 5 percent are possible,
eg a mere 5 percent, not a huge 5 percent , not a surprising 5 percent

Consider these simpler examples.
Mary ran 5 miles.
Tom ran a fast 5 miles.
Jim ran a slow 5 miles
Jane ran an easy 5 miles.

Clive.

Takehisa Tanaka · Answer

Thanks

.
I think I could understand.
I can see "mere 5 percent" as one thing, not collection of one percent.
So, I add "a" before "mere 5 percent."

Clive · Answer

Here's another example.
In the battle, the army was defeated by a mere 20 men.

Clive

Takehisa Tanaka · Answer

I see.
I add "a" before adjective added

.

Clive · Answer

Yes, but do you understand why?

Clive

Takehisa Tanaka · Answer

I think I could understand.

If I were to run a marathon.
And there was strong rival.
It would be a tough 43 kms.
But there wasn't any rival.
It would be a easy 43 kms.

Is that correct?

Clive · Answer

Yes.

( But no marathon is an easy 43 kms. I know.

)

a mere 5 percent

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