Alright, so you’ve probably stumbled over this before. Someone says, “That’s a 5 inch screen,” but then another one says, “It’s 5 inches long.” Both sound okay, right? But nope—not exactly.
I learned the hard way when I once ordered a “5 inch” phone case and ended up with something way too small. Yeah, ouch. Turns out, 5 inch and 5 inches ain’t just grammar stuff—they’re about how we actually see and use measurements in real life.
Stick with me, and I’ll help y’all figure out when to say which so you don’t end up with a giant shoe or a tiny TV (been there, done that).
Why Should We Even Care About 5 Inch vs 5 Inches?
I know, I know—some of y’all are thinking, “It’s just five inches, what’s the big deal?” But hear me out.
Fast forward past three failed IKEA builds, and I realized that using the wrong term made the instructions look like hieroglyphics. True story.
Using 5 inch when you mean 5 inches can confuse folks big time—builders, shoppers, even your dog (okay, maybe not your dog, but close enough).
When you say 5 inch before a thing, like “5 inch blade,” you’re treating it like an adjective. But say “5 inches” if you’re talking about the length on its own.
Simple? Sorta. But I swear, there’s more.
Quick Grammar Drill (I Promise It’s Not Boring)
The “5 Inch” Rule
Use 5 inch when you’re describing something.
Example?
- “I got a wicked new 5 inch knife.”
- “The pizza had a 5 inch crust… okay, maybe that’s a personal fave.”
It’s like saying “red apple” — the “5 inch” is the adjective telling you about the noun.
The “5 Inches” Rule
Use 5 inches when it stands alone or is the measurement itself. Like:
- “The pizza was about 5 inches across.”
- “I grew 5 inches last summer. (Wish I’d grown taller, not wider.)”
Real Talk: When People Mess Up
Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged. Same with “5 inch” vs “5 inches.”
Saw this on a DIY forum:
“I bought a 5 inches screen for my project.”
Nope, buddy, should be 5 inch screen. That “es” doesn’t belong in front of a noun.
But on the flip side:
“The screen is 5 inch wide.”
Nope again! That’s gotta be 5 inches wide.
I swear, it’s like English is playing tricks on us. But hey, I’m here to help sort it out.
Some Random Memories to Help You Remember
The smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019 still haunts me. That’s where I bought a “5 inch” pot for my sad attempt at growing herbs. (My first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary.)
Anyway, when I labeled that pot “5 inch rosemary” I realized I was actually talking about the size of the pot, not the rosemary itself. So technically, I was right.
You can call me a plant nerd now.
How Big Is 5 Inches, Really?
Try to picture this: a standard credit card is about 3.4 inches long. So 5 inches is roughly a credit card plus a bit more.
Or think about a soda can—around 5 inch tall. (If you ever wondered, yeah, I stared at soda cans to figure this out.)
And the cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave? It’s about 5 inches wide—survived my overwatering phase despite being borderline rusty.
Fun Fact to Impress Your Friends
Fun fact: Victorians believed talking to ferns prevented madness. I talk to my begonias just in case.
This is from page 42 of the out-of-print Garden Mishaps & Miracles (1998) — an absolute classic if you like weird plant lore.
Anyway, kinda like those old beliefs, language quirks like “5 inch” and “5 inches” can make you seem a bit nuts if you get ’em wrong.
Industry Jargon: How Pros Use It
Construction & Carpentry
When your blueprint says:
- “Install 5 inch drywall,”
That’s shorthand for a specific sheet size.
But when your coworker measures and says:
- “Cut the wood to 5 inches,”
That’s the actual physical length.
Fashion & Tailoring
- “I bought a 5 inch zipper for this jacket.” (Here “5 inch” modifies zipper.)
- “You need to shorten the pants by 5 inches.” (Here it’s a standalone length.)
See? Context is everything.
Here’s a Weird But True Tip
You need nitrogen-rich soil—wait, no, was it potassium? Let me Google that again…
But seriously, just like plants need the right nutrients, words need the right context.
Think of 5 inch as the fertilizer for nouns. It makes them grow stronger. 5 inches? That’s just the measurement hanging out alone.
Bullet Points Because I Know Y’all Love ’Em
- 5 inch = Use before nouns (e.g., “5 inch pipe,” “5 inch screen”).
- 5 inches = Use for standalone measurements (“The pipe is 5 inches long.”)
- Mixing them up = Confusion city.
- Pro tip: If you can swap in “long” or “wide” after the number, use “inches.”
- If it’s directly describing an object, use “inch.”
More Personal Fumbles
One time, I told my buddy, “I need a 5 inch wrench.” He showed up with a wrench labeled 5 inches. I had to laugh and say, “Dude, you got it but also didn’t.”
Language, man. It’s tricky.
Wrapping This Up (But Not Like a Boring Conclusion)
Anyway, here’s the kicker: knowing the difference between 5 inch and 5 inches saves you from sounding like a complete noob.
Use “5 inch” as a descriptive tool before nouns.
Use “5 inches” when you’re talking about size or length on its own.
Simple? Mostly. You might still slip up now and then — I do. My coffee-stained notes attest to that.
If you ever want a quick refresher, just remember the cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave, and how it’s both 5 inches wide and a wicked example of measurement mishaps.
