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Which of these is correct?

Six million dollar loss

Six million dollars loss

My guess would be the first one based on a web site (acapela-box).

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  • Why do you think that it might be the second?
    – Mick
    Sep 27, 2016 at 8:39
  • I don't think that it might be the second. I think that it might be the first. Am I wrong? Sep 27, 2016 at 8:45
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    Ah! Sorry. I thought that your capital S was a dollar sign ($). I need new glasses. Both are correct although the first is, perhaps, idiomatic.
    – Mick
    Sep 27, 2016 at 8:49
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    It's spoken like a unit: "dollar". Examples using other units: one kilometer stretch, two mile hike, three second interval.
    – Lawrence
    Sep 27, 2016 at 8:52
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    @Lawrence Thanks for your clear explanation. Those examples expand my knowledge. Sep 27, 2016 at 8:58

2 Answers 2

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The first is correct.

In your example phrase, loss is the noun, and dollar is an adjective describing "what kind" of loss.

Only nouns and verbs have plural forms in English. Adjectives always stay the same.

This is why if you said "a loss of six million dollars" - you do add the s, because now dollars is a noun.

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It should be singular: "dollar." And it should probably be hyphenated for better readability: "six-million-dollar loss"? Similar to "I have a two-year-old son" or "seven-year itch"? The Chicago Manual of Style recommends hyphenating when the unit (dollar in this case) is spelled out (not abbreviated, like lb or cm) unless the unit is "percent." In regards to money in particular, this also applies to indefinite amounts like "multimillion-dollar loss."

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