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Victorycountry Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
how big a problem
Hi,
In "how big a problem", I am just wondering why indefinite article did not come before the adjective "big". In an affirmative, as far as I know, you say "a big problem" not "big a problem".
Thanks in advance.
In "how big a problem", I am just wondering why indefinite article did not come before the adjective "big". In an affirmative, as far as I know, you say "a big problem" not "big a problem".
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Hi victorycountry, It must be due to "how", for we can use, I think, "how + adjective" (how big a problem), "what + noun" ( what a big problem). Just an opinion.
- Hi victorycountry, It must be due to "how", for we can use, I think, "how + adjective" (how big a problem), "what + noun" ( what a big problem).
- Just an opinion.
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4 Answers
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Hi victorycountry,
It must be due to "how", for we can use, I think,
"how + adjective" (how big a problem),
"what + noun" ( what a big problem).
Just an opinion.
It must be due to "how", for we can use, I think,
"how + adjective" (how big a problem),
"what + noun" ( what a big problem).
Just an opinion.
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Victoriacountry,
Put your phrase in a sentence; see if that anwers your question. Or put the phrase in a sentence and post it here as a more complete inquiry.
Put your phrase in a sentence; see if that anwers your question. Or put the phrase in a sentence and post it here as a more complete inquiry.
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Example:
"how big a problem"
John: We are going to face a big problem if this continues.
Tony::
i) How big a problem is that going to be?
ii) How a big problem is that going to be?
Which of Tony's above answers sounds correct to you, Victorycountry?
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Hello VC
"Such", "so", "as", "too", "how" and "what" work as adverbs. But when they are used as a modifier of an attributive adjective (=an adjective that comes before a noun), they behave as a pre-determiner (=a determiner that comes before an indefinite article). Those pre-determiners are divided into two groups according to whether, when it comes before the article, the pre-determiner
"Such", "so", "as", "too", "how" and "what" work as adverbs. But when they are used as a modifier of an attributive adjective (=an adjective that comes before a noun), they behave as a pre-determiner (=a determiner that comes before an indefinite article). Those pre-determiners are divided into two groups according to whether, when it comes before the article, the pre-determiner
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