Placing an article before or after an adjective
Why is does the article change positions in the following:
such a good person
so good a person
Haven't been able to answer my student's question on this one, and if you change the adjectives to "very good" it becomes a very good person or so very good a person. I'm sure there must be a reason. :)
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asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
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Why is does the article change positions in the following:
such a good person
so good a person
Haven't been able to answer my student's question on this one, and if you change the adjectives to "very good" it becomes a very good person or so very good a person. I'm sure there must be a reason. :)
articles
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Why is does the article change positions in the following:
such a good person
so good a person
Haven't been able to answer my student's question on this one, and if you change the adjectives to "very good" it becomes a very good person or so very good a person. I'm sure there must be a reason. :)
articles
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Why is does the article change positions in the following:
such a good person
so good a person
Haven't been able to answer my student's question on this one, and if you change the adjectives to "very good" it becomes a very good person or so very good a person. I'm sure there must be a reason. :)
articles
articles
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
asked 9 hours ago
Lauren RichardsLauren Richards
111
111
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Lauren Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
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"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
add a comment |
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://www.queens-english-society.com
http://englishisducksoup.com
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
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Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
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"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
add a comment |
"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
add a comment |
"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
answered 9 hours ago
MacAMacA
694
694
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
add a comment |
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
If you read the whole definition, you'll see that 'such' can be an adjective or an adverb, and when the modified phrase begins with an article, 'such' must be an adverb, not an adjective (cf. *some a good person).
– AmI
8 hours ago
add a comment |
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://www.queens-english-society.com
http://englishisducksoup.com
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
New contributor
Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://www.queens-english-society.com
http://englishisducksoup.com
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
New contributor
Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://www.queens-english-society.com
http://englishisducksoup.com
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
New contributor
Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://www.queens-english-society.com
http://englishisducksoup.com
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
New contributor
Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
New contributor
Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
answered 8 hours ago
MikeMike
261
261
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Mike is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
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Possible duplicate of "You're too clever a man"
– Laurel
7 hours ago
Such a good question. Such a dearth of good answers. So slim a chance of being answered ....
– Araucaria
5 hours ago
@Laurel How could this be a duplicate of that when that doesn't address such, which also occurs before the determiner, in any way?
– Araucaria
5 hours ago