An additional 10 hours
I have recently encountered this example in a New Yorks Times article:
"and they can request an additional 20 days"
Why is "an" used here? Why isn't it enough to simply say "additional 20 hours"?
Top answer
"and they can request an additional 20 days" The simple answer is that "an+additional" form a sequence and are thus inseparable. In more detail, there are two other things to consider here: First, "an additional", though singular in form, can select a singular head, or a plural head provided it is quantified by a numeral: "an additional day" / "an additional 20 days". Second, "20 days" can be conceptualised as denoting a single period of time or, as here, a plurality of days.
- "and they can request an additional 20 days" The simple answer is that "an+additional" form a sequence and are thus inseparable.
- In more detail, there are two other things to consider here: First, "an additional", though singular in form, can select a singular head, or a plural head provided it is quantified by a numeral: "an additional day" / "an additional 20 days".
- Second, "20 days" can be conceptualised as denoting a single period of time or, as here, a plurality of days.
- It's the combination of these facts that enables the formally singular "an additional" to combine with noun phrases that are conceptually and formally plural, like "20 days".
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"and they can request an additional 20 days"
The simple answer is that "an+additional" form a sequence and are thus inseparable.
In more detail, there are two other things to consider here:
First, "an additional", though singular in form, can select a singular head, or a plural head provided it is quantified by a numeral: "an additional day" / "an additional 20 days".
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