Adjective preceding an article and a Noun

Question

I was watching The Lord of the Rings - the Fellowship of the ring when I heard Aragon saying "He's too clever a waterman", referring to Gollum. I have heard of such a structure before - an adjective then a noun. It is still common nowadays? Or it would be more natural to say, "He's a very clever waterman" instead of the former?

Also, would the following be grammatically correct?

1. He's very polite a student.

2. He's so hardworking a craftsman.

3. She is too fast a swimmer.

Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

robertogI was watching The Lord of the Rings - the Fellowship of the ring when I heard Aragon saying "He's too clever a waterman", referring to Gollum. I have heard of such a structure before - an adjective then a noun. It is still common nowadays?

No. It's a phrasing that is appropriate to a story like The Lord of the Rings, but not to everyday conversation or writing. Try to separate literary devices like you might hear in this kind of fantasy movie from what's normal in ordinary conversation.

robertogOr it would be more natural to say, "He's a very clever waterman" instead of the former?

Yes.

robertog
Also, would the following be grammatically correct?
1. He's very polite a student.
2. He's so hardworking a craftsman.
3. She is too fast a swimmer.

They are acceptable as literary expressions. I don't recommend using them in any conversational setting or in any of your academic writing assignments. Wait until you're asked to write a screenplay for a film before you start crafting your sentences like this.

CJ

Adjective preceding an article and a Noun

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