One pound, million, etc

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

I remember from the forum discussions that BrE speakers don't use 'a' before 'pound'. But if something costs £1 would a native speaker still say 'one pound' instead of a 'pound'? And in the same way would a native speaker use 'one' before 'million' 'thousand', 'billion', etc?

 

[Rover_KE]

We actually do say 'a pound' or 'one pound' for an exact pound in that context—likewise 'a thousand'/'a million' etc.

You may be confused between British and American usage, whereby 'a pound' and 'one pound' are both used, but if an item costs £1.50 we say 'one pound fifty' – not 'a pound fifty' .

On the other hand, in America, an amount of $1.50 is often pronounced 'a dollar fifty'.

 

[Rachel Adams]

We actually do say 'a pound' or 'one pound' for an exact pound in that context—likewise 'a thousand'/'a million' etc.

You may be confused between British and American usage, whereby 'a pound' and 'one pound' are both used, but if an item costs £1.50 we say 'one pound fifty' – not 'a pound fifty' .

On the other hand, in America, an amount of $1.50 is often pronounced 'a dollar fifty'.

I am focused on BrE only. So £1 one/a pound. A/one million, thousand, billion, and hundred.