"as good a student as"

[so3342]

Hello. I am a beginner in English, so I may be using incorrect English.

Also, this is my first time using this site, so I may not understand the rules well and make mistakes.

What I want to ask is, in the sentence "She is as good a student as her brother," why do we have to say "as good a"? Is "as a good" no good?



I look forward to your answer.

 

[teechar]

Hello.

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

I am a beginner in English, so I may be using incorrect English.

Don't worry about that. That's what the forum is for. We encourage learners to produce language, so that we can point out mistakes and weaknesses. Having said that, your English appears to be good.

Also, this is my first time using this site, so I may not understand the rules well and make mistakes.

We'll point them out to you as they occur!

What I want to ask is, in the sentence "She is as good a student as her brother," why do we have to say "as good a"? Is "as a good" no good?

It's a set formula. Just accept it and learn it. If you insist on trying to find some justification for the use of the indefinite article in it, then I suppose we can argue that "student" is a singular countable noun, and that needs an article.

 

[so3342]

Thank you for your answer.

I see, that's how it is.

There's a difference between the affirmative sentence "she is a good student" and a comparative expression. It's difficult.

I hope to make use of this in the future.

 

[tedmc]

1. As a student, she is as good as her brother.
2. She is as good a student as her brother.

I think you can look at sentence No.2 as an alternative to sentence No.1.

 

[emsr2d2]

The word order you suggested - "as a good" - isn't used in a comparative at all. It would be used in basic statements such as "I see her as a good person" or "I see walking as a good way to get daily exercise".