不定冠词与such, many, what的先后关系
当带有不定冠词的单数可数名词被such, many, what 等修饰时,不定冠词应置于其后。如:
It was absurd of you to suggest such a thing. 你竟提出这种事,真荒唐。
It was astonishing to everybody that the court had made such a decision. 法庭作出这样的判决,所有人都感到很惊讶。
One of these days he’ll realize what a fool he’s been. 不久他就会明白他一直是多么愚蠢。
In order to show his boss what a careful worker he was, he took extra trouble over the figures. 为了向新老板显示他是个工作非常细心的人,他在这些数字上费了比平常更多的力气。
Many a young man has tried and failed. 很多年轻人都试过,而且失败了。
Many a good climber has met his death on this mountain. 有许多优秀登山者都在这座山上身亡。
注:“many a+单数可数名词”是比较正式的用法,更通俗的说法是“many+复数名词”。如:
I have told him many a time to be polite. = I have told him many times to be polite. 我多次告诉他要有礼貌。
City life attracts many a country boy. = City life attracts many country boys. 都市生活吸引着许许多多的乡村孩子。
No doubt she had many a tale to tell of the old days. = No doubt she had many tales to tell of the old days.毫无疑问,她有许多往日的故事要说。