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Movo Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Too Narrow a Meaning?

Hi,

"It is used with too narrow a meaning" means "It doesn't have too many meanings" or "It applies to a narrow range of things", right?!

Is it a set phrase/idiom, or is it some kind of formal(?) grammatical structure?
Thank you.

  

Top answer

"too X a Y" is a set pattern of words. A "narrow" meaning is a very specific or precise meaning. The opposite is a "broad" meaning, which is a vaguer or more general meaning.

  • "too X a Y" is a set pattern of words.
  • A "narrow" meaning is a very specific or precise meaning.
  • The opposite is a "broad" meaning, which is a vaguer or more general meaning.
  • In this case, the meaning of "it" is too specific or precise.
  • It is not clear without further context whether "it is used" refers to a particular use or to use generally.
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1 Answers
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"too X a Y" is a set pattern of words. A "narrow" meaning is a very specific or precise meaning. The opposite is a "broad" meaning, which is a vaguer or more general meaning. In this case, the meaning of "it" is too specific or precise. It is not clear without further context whether "it is used" refers to a particular use or to use generally.

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