Half hour or half an hour

[nq:1]Should I say 'half hour' or 'half an hour'? For example, I waited half (an) hour to get on the bus.[/nq]
I would say "(for) half an hour", here.
[nq:1]Or there is half-(an)-hour break before the class.[/nq]
This one would be "a half-hour break".
The difference seems to be whether the expression is being used as a noun or as an adjective.
[nq:1]For this matter, also 'half

I think it's largely pondial:
AmE: a half-hour
BrE: half an hour
Mike M

[nq:2]I would say "(for) half an hour", here. This one ... as a noun or as an adjective. The same applies.[/nq]
[nq:1]I think it's largely pondial: AmE: a half-hour BrE: half an hour[/nq]
Not simply pondial, though. I say both and hear both in the US. It depends on the phrase Some quick googling suggests that both sides say "for half an hour" but the US is more willing to say also "for a h

[nq:2]I would say "(for) half an hour", here. This one ... as a noun or as an adjective. The same applies.[/nq]
[nq:1]I think it's largely pondial: AmE: a half-hour BrE: half an hour Mike M[/nq]
I don't think the usage of either is just AmE usage. Both "It's a half-hour show" and "I'll be there in half an hour" would be used here.

[nq:2]I think it's largely pondial: AmE: a half-hour BrE: half an hour[/nq]
Dead wrong!
[nq:1]Not simply pondial, though. I say both and hear both in the US.[/nq]
Dead right!
[nq:1]It depends on the phrase Some quick googling suggests that both sides say "for half an hour" but the US is more willing to say also "for a half-hour" than is the UK.[/nq]
The reason for that might be

[nq:2]I think it's largely pondial: AmE: a half-hour BrE: half an hour Mike M[/nq]
[nq:1]I don't think the usage of either is just AmE usage. Both "It's a half-hour show" and "I'll be there in half an hour" would be used here.[/nq]
Can I say "I'll be there in a half-hour" or "I'll be there in half hour"? I'm in the States.

[nq:1]Can I say "I'll be there in a half-hour"[/nq]
Yes.
[nq:1]or "I'll be there in half hour"?[/nq]
No, but you can say "I'll be there in half an hour," which maybe is what you meant to type.
[nq:1]I'm in the States.[/nq]
Best Donna Richoux

[nq:2]I don't think the usage of either is just AmE ... be there in half an hour" would be used here.[/nq]
[nq:1]Can I say "I'll be there in a half-hour" or "I'll be there in half hour"? I'm in the States.[/nq]
First off, you get Oy!ed for using that expression "the States". This is a deprecated usage outside of military and diplomatic contexts. Odd thing is, the British think Americans co

[nq:1]First off, you get Oy!ed for using that expression "the States". This is a deprecated usage outside of military and ... think the British commonly use "the States" (they do, but only because they mistakenly think that's what Americans commonly do).[/nq]
Naturally. We have mandatory weekly meetings to discuss how Americans have improved our language, and how we might ape them. It's the ma

Can I say "I'll be there in a half-hour" or "I'll be there in half hour"? I'm in the States.
Areff responded:
First off, you get Oy!ed for using that expression "the States". This is a deprecated usage outside of military and diplomatic contexts. Odd thing is, the British think Americans commonly use "the States" (they don't), and the Americans think the British commonly use "the States" (