With offering any facile solution for so complex a problem

Question

I am not concerned...with offering any facile solution for so complex a problem - T. S. Eliot

If it were me I would have simply said 'for so complex problem'. "a" is a 'forced' entry in the smooth structure of the sentence. I believe it doesn't add any meaning semantically but not sure if it makes the sentence ungrammatical. What I think is that such a change is introduced when the writer, speaker wants to gain attention, stress the unusualness of something. Please guide me.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I am not concerned...with offering any facile solution for so complex a problem - T. S. Eliot

I'd describe the structure as very common in higher register writing. I don't find it in the least bit pretentious.

You cannot simply remove the "a." Suppose you use "such" instead of "so." You still need the "a."

". . . . for such a complex problem."

Even in register neutral language:

". . . . for a very complex problem."

You probably won't hear it on the street corner.

Jackson6612 · Answer

AvangiI'd describe the structure as very common in higher register writing. I don't find it in the least bit pretentious.

Thank you, Avangi.

Okay. But why be different just for the sake of being different. Yes, "a" is required when 'very' or 'such' is used. But to use it with 'so' in such structures is not really essential.

"in the least bit": Would it have been correct if you have used "the least bit" instead? From some of the information I have looked at on the net it seems they are synonymous to some degree.

Avangi · Answer

"The least bit" is fine. You caught me being pretentious!

Would you give me an example of how you would write the OP sentence?

Best, - A.

Jackson6612 · Answer

AvangiYou caught me being pretentious!

You have every right to be pretentious because you are a native speaker. You can play around with your language to baffle the non-native.

Here it is:
I am not concerned...with offering any facile solution for so complex problem.
I am not concerned...with offering any facile solution for such a complex problem.

Thanks.

Avangi · Answer

I'm afraid the "a" can't simply be omitted after the "complex."

The "such a " version is admittedly less ostentatious.

(I assure you, my intentions are honorable.)

Jackson6612 · Answer

AvangiI'm afraid the "a" can't simply be omitted after the "complex."

Then, the best way to tackle my question is to tell the difference between the two versions, one with "for so complex problem" and the other with "for so complex a problem". I hope you would help me with it. To me, they mean the same.

Avangi · Answer

I wouldn't do this for a problem. (Do you agree we need the article here?)

I wouldn't do this for such a problem. (Why do we need the "a" here?)

I wouldn't do this for such a small problem.

I wouldn't do this for so small a problem.

The "a" goes with the problem.

I wouldn't do this for such small problems. (We don't need it with the plural.)

I wouldn't do this for so small problem. The difference about this one is that it's incorrect.

Jackson6612 · Answer

So, I conclude that in such structures using an article is necessary, otherwise the sentence would be rendered incorrect grammatically. Is my conclusion correct?

While reading your last post, one question came to my mind.

AvangiI wouldn't do this for such a small problem.

"for such a problem", here "such" tells that it is in the shared knowledge of the speaker and listener what 'problem' they are talking about. Right? You can say "such" has replaced the definite article 'the' which would be used in the absence of "such". Indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' are used when specificity of the thing talked about doesn't matter. Why is using the article 'a' necessary in "for such a problem" when the "problem" being discussed is a definite one?

And thank you for all the guidance.

Avangi · Answer

Jackson6612So, I conclude that in such structures using an article is necessary, otherwise the sentence would be rendered incorrect grammatically. Is my conclusion correct?

Yes.

I wouldn't do this for such a small problem.

it is in the shared knowledge of the speaker and listener what 'problem' they are talking about. Right? Yes.

You can say "such" has replaced the definite article 'the' which would be used in the absence of "such". No.

Indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' are used when specificity of the thing talked about doesn't matter. This seems to be true.

Why is using the article 'a' necessary in "for such a problem" when the "problem" being discussed is a definite one? The word "such" does not refer to the specific problem, but to one "of the category" alluded to.

I see an Aston Martin in the show room, and I say, "I would like to have such a car." The statement does not declare that I would be satisfied only with that specific Aston Martin.

I see a car.
I see the car.
I want a car.
I want the car.
I want that car.
I want a car like that car.
I want such a car as this car.

"Such" does not replace the article.

A demonstrative adjective can replace the article (this, that, these, those)

I'm not sure what else can.

A plural or an uncountable noun wouldn't require an article, as I'm sure you know:

I want such cars as have been designated as for sale.

I want such money as I'm intitled to.

But,
I want such a sum as I'm intitled to.

As I turn it over in my mind, I seem to pull up a singular countable without the article, but it may be an obsolete usage, or I may be imagining it:

I want such car as will suit my needs.

Avangi · Answer

(Not with a bang, but a whimper.)<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/8.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/8.gif' alt='Emotion: indifferent'/>

With offering any facile solution for so complex a problem

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