the temperature is a pleasant twenty-three degrees

[kadioguy]

[From a TOEIC test]

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be landing shortly in Atlanta, where the temperature is a pleasant twenty-three degrees. At this time, please move your seat to the upright position, fasten your seat belt, and turn off any electronic devices. Luggage should be placed under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. Thank you for flying Langston Airways.

[Source]
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Why is it "the temperature is a pleasant twenty-three degrees" ("a" [refers to a singular countable noun] and "degrees" [plural] at the same time)? I suppose that is because we say "a temperature of twenty-three degrees", so "the temperature is a twenty-three degrees".

Is that right?

 

[SoothingDave]

It doesn't work unless you have an adjective. You can't say "it's a 23 degrees." You would say "it's 23 degrees."

 

[kadioguy]

It doesn't work unless you have an adjective. You can't say "it's a 23 degrees." You would say "it's 23 degrees."

So,
(a) It is a pleasant twenty-three degrees. (correct)
(b) It is a twenty-three degrees. (wrong)
(c) It is twenty-three degrees. (correct)

Is that right?

 

[kadioguy]

So,
(a) It is a pleasant twenty-three degrees. (correct)
(b) It is a twenty-three degrees. (wrong)
(c) It is twenty-three degrees. (correct)

Is that right?

But compared to (b), why is (a) correct simply because it has an adjective? Does that mean an adjective can make a plural noun have an article "a"?

 

[5jj]

(a) It is a pleasant twenty-three degrees. (correct)
(b) It is a twenty-three degrees. (wrong)
(c) It is twenty-three degrees. (correct)

Is that right?

Yes.

 

[SoothingDave]

But compared to (b), why is (a) correct simply because it has an adjective? Does that mean an adjective can make a plural noun have an article "a"?

It's not a plural noun. Not really. It describes a condition.

We don't say "there are 25 degrees today." We say "it is 25 degrees today."

If it helps, consider it to be shorthand for "It is a temperature of 25 degrees today."

 

[kadioguy]

If it helps, consider it to be shorthand for "It is a temperature of 25 degrees today."

(a) It is a pleasant twenty-three degrees.

Consider (a) to be shorthand for "It is a pleasant (temperature of) twenty-three degrees".

Does this make sense?

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes.