Half an hour or a half hour?

[Minor Thing]

Hi,

What sounds better - half an hour or a half hour? Are both versions correct? Thanks.

[Alan]

Hi,

Half an hour is the usual expression.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Chocolatee]

Well, I usually use "half an hour" too. I'm not sure if "a half hour" is correct. It sounds a bit awkward to me.

[Jamie (K)]

[Alan]

Hi chocolatee,

I agree that a half hour in isolation does sound a bit awkward. I think it depends in which context you use it. Take these two sentences:

I'll see you in half an hour - it would be unusual to say I'll see you in a half hour.

On the other hand you would say: The programme lasts 30 minutes it is a half hour programme.

In other words for descriptions/measurements of time, I prefer half an hour but if you use it adjectivally with another noun, I would prefer a half hour as in a half hour session/journey/period

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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[Jamie (K)]