Length and distance are fundamental concepts in English vocabulary. Length refers to how long something is, while distance refers to the space between two points. English uses specific units to measure length and distance, and these units can be used in singular or plural forms depending on the quantity.
Common Units of Length and Distance
Here are the most common units of length and distance in English:
| English Unit | Description | Example Singular Use | Example Plural Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| inch | A small unit of length | inch | inches |
| foot | A larger unit (12 inches) | foot | feet |
| yard | Equal to 3 feet | yard | yards |
| mile | A unit for longer distances | mile | miles |
| millimeter (mm) | Small metric unit | millimeter | millimeters |
| centimeter (cm) | Metric unit (100 cm = 1 m) | centimeter | centimeters |
| meter (m) | Base metric unit | meter | meters |
| kilometer (km) | Metric unit for long distances | kilometer | kilometers |
Using Length and Distance in Sentences
Here are some example sentences for each unit, showing how they fit into everyday English.
| Unit | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| inch | The nail is 1 inch long. | The screws are 4 inches long. |
| foot | He is 6 feet tall. | They walked 3 feet away. |
| yard | The garden is 2 yards wide. | She bought 5 yards of fabric. |
| mile | It’s 1 mile to the store. | We ran 3 miles this morning. |
| millimeter | The paper is 1 millimeter thick. | The parts are 2 millimeters apart. |
| centimeter | The book is 20 centimeters tall. | The room is 100 centimeters wide. |
| meter | The table is 1 meter long. | The wall is 3 meters high. |
| kilometer | The city is 1 kilometer away. | We traveled 10 kilometers yesterday. |
Fill in the blank: The screw is 4 _____ long.
- inches
- millimeters
Screw lengths are often measured in inches or millimeters, not in yards or miles.
Fill in the blank: The package is 20 _____ tall.
centimeters
Centimeters are a metric unit often used for smaller objects, like packages.
Summary
- Length refers to how long something is; distance refers to the space between two points.
- Use singular units for one (e.g., 1 foot) and plural units for more than one (e.g., 2 feet).
- Common English units include inch, foot/feet, yard, and mile.
- Metric units include millimeter, centimeter, meter, and kilometer.
- These units can be used in a variety of everyday contexts, from measuring objects to describing travel distances.
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- Description: A small unit of length
- Example Singular Use: 1 inch
- Example Plural Use: 5 inches
- English Unit: inch
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
