Which one is correct?
"5 minutes is not enough" or "5 minutes are not enough"?

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5 minutes is not enough

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular unit of time (5 minutes).

Use '5 minutes is not enough' when treating the time as a singular unit.

Alternatives:

  • The 5-minute break is not enough.

5 minutes are not enough

This phrase is correct when emphasizing the plural nature of the minutes.

Use '5 minutes are not enough' when treating the minutes as individual units.

Alternatives:

  • The 5 minutes we have are not enough.
Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. '5 minutes is not enough' is correct when referring to a singular unit of time (5 minutes), while '5 minutes are not enough' is correct when emphasizing the plural nature of the minutes. The choice between 'is' and 'are' depends on whether you are treating the time as a singular unit or as individual minutes.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

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