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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 27-Apr-2004, 10:22
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Default too III

Are these sentences correct:
1-It is not a too bad appartment.
2-He spoke in not a too unrefined manner.

3-It is a not too bad appartment.
4-He spoke in a not too unrefined manner.
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Old 27-Apr-2004, 11:27
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I prefer 3&4, though in 4, I'd say 'none too'. However, 'not too unrefined' is strtching lexis a bit.
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Old 27-Apr-2004, 14:37
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Default Re: too III

Quote:
Originally Posted by navi
Are these sentences correct:
1-It is not a too bad appartment.
2-He spoke in not a too unrefined manner.

3-It is a not too bad appartment.
4-He spoke in a not too unrefined manner.
I would say "no" to all.

At least in AE, better would be:

It is not too bad an apartment.
He spoke in not too unrefined a manner. (I would rephrase this)

When we have an adjective that is preceded by an adverb (or adverbs), such as "so", "too" (possibly also with "not") we move the article to the other side of the adjective.

a bad apartment
a very bad apartment
such a bad apartment
not so bad an apartment
not too bad an apartment
so small an apartment
too hot an apartment
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Old 27-Apr-2004, 16:16
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I'm not a fan of thesentences, but wouldn't go so far as to say they are wrong.
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Old 27-Apr-2004, 16:39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
I'm not a fan of thesentences, but wouldn't go so far as to say they are wrong.
That's because you are more tolerant than I.
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Old 27-Apr-2004, 23:33
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Popes shouldn't be too liberal.
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Old 28-Apr-2004, 03:11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
Popes shouldn't be too liberal.
Nor should English teachers. :wink:
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Old 28-Apr-2004, 09:49
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I'm a conservative liberal.
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Old 28-Apr-2004, 11:16
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Thanks TDOL and Mike.
To tolerate or not to tolerate....
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Old 28-Apr-2004, 11:56
Susie Smith
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Default Re: too III

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork
Quote:
Originally Posted by navi
Are these sentences correct:
1-It is not a too bad appartment.
2-He spoke in not a too unrefined manner.

3-It is a not too bad appartment.
4-He spoke in a not too unrefined manner.
I would say "no" to all.

At least in AE, better would be:

It is not too bad an apartment.
He spoke in not too unrefined a manner. (I would rephrase this)

When we have an adjective that is preceded by an adverb (or adverbs), such as "so", "too" (possibly also with "not") we move the article to the other side of the adjective.

a bad apartment
a very bad apartment
such a bad apartment
not so bad an apartment
not too bad an apartment
so small an apartment
too hot an apartment
Hear, hear! You're absolutely right, Mike. However, despite his leniency, tdol is not too bad an English teacher. :wink:
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