how important of a?

[Punchinello]

Is there such an expression in English as "how important of a"? Like, "How important of a spy was this for the U.S.?"?
Thank you very much!

 

[jmacdonald]

I would say it is non-standard usage. It is certainly often used in spoken English, but never in formal writing. It can/should just be left out as in, "How important a spy was [STRIKE]this[/STRIKE] he/she for the U.S?"

 

[5jj]

No

 

[Punchinello]

Thank you very much!!