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Electrum Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Placement of article

Can anyone explain the existence of these word orders?

A very tall man
Quite a tall man
Toot tall a man

I'd prefer:

A very tall man
A quite tall man
A too tall man
  

Top answer

Hi, Can anyone explain the existence of these word orders? A very tall man Quite a tall man In teaching this, I'd si mply say it is idiomatic. And explain that it is very common usage.

— Clive

  • Hi, Can anyone explain the existence of these word orders?
  • A very tall man Quite a tall man In teaching this, I'd si mply say it is idiomatic.
  • And explain that it is very common usage.
  • Too tall a man Again, I'd simply say it is idiomatic.
  • I' d also mention that this seems more emphatic.
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5 Answers
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Hi,
Can anyone explain the existence of these word orders?

A very tall man
Quite a tall man In teaching this, I'd simply say it is idiomatic. And explain that it is very common usage.

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electrumA quite tall man
A too tall man
A quite tall man is correct but no as common as quite a tall man. Without an adjective, you have no choice: He is quite a man!

A too tall man is incorr
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CliveI'd prefer: Why? Do you prefer English that has no uncommon word orders?
Yes, otherwise it's a very confusing language.
Yes, otherwise it's quite a confusing language.
Yes, otherwise it's too confusing a language.
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electrumCan anyone explain the existence of these word orders?

A very tall man
Quite a tall man
Toot tall a man
Not without writing a great deal more than can fit in a single post, and even then you'll find that it's less of an explanation and more of a list of acceptable patterns.

You might try searching the web for the rules for ord
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CalifJimmany | a | noun
Changing the subject, I notice one of my favorite constructions here:

Many a man rode in a van. (one in each prersumably)
Many men rode in a van. (all in one presumably)

What about:
Too many a man
How many a man
Very many a man

Then
So
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