[Grammar] not so much A as B

[Hatchan]

Hi,

To my relief, I have found many example sentences in which the phrase "not so much A as B" is used, but at the same time noticed whenever a noun comes in A or B, it seems always singular, not plural.

If that's the case, could we say the below?

They are not so much a statesman as a politician.

In my gut feeling, I think we could, but cannot explain why.

Would you please tell me if the above sentence is grammatically correct and if so, why that is?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Hatchan

 

[Gillnetter]

Hi,

To my relief, I have found many example sentences in which the phrase "not so much A as B" is used, but at the same time noticed whenever a noun comes in A or B, it seems always singular, not plural.

If that's the case, could we say [STRIKE]the [/STRIKE] ​what is written below?

They are not so much a statesman as a politician.
How can "they" be a statesman or a politician? They can be statesmen or politicians. They is plural.
1. They are not so much statesmen as politicians.
2. He is not so much a statesman as a politician.

In my gut feeling, I think we could, but cannot explain why.

Would you please tell me if the above sentence is grammatically correct and if so, why that is?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Hatchan

Gil

 

[Hatchan]

Gil

Thank you for your answer, Gillnetter.

The answer is simple as that yet it never came to my mind...