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Adjectives: position after as, how, so, too

After as, how, so, too and this/that meaning so, adjectives go before a/an. This structure is common in a formal style.

Grammar

as/how/so/too/this/that + adjective + a/an + noun

  • I have as good a voice as you.
  • How good a pianist is he?
  • She is too polite a person to refuse.
  • I couldn't afford that big a car.
  • It was so warm a day that I could hardly work.

The structure is not possible without a/an.

  • I like your country -- it's so beautiful. (not I like your so beautiful country.)
  • Those girls are too kind to refuse. (not They are too kind girls to refuse.)
note

For the structure with adjective + as in expressions like tired as I was ..., (see here).