Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Leyla]

Hello,
Does anybody know why the word order is changed in phrases like this: "If they can aim that big a gun at us, why can't we do it to them?" (It's from the book I'm reading now)? (I mean, shouldn't it be "that a big gun" )
Is that because "that" is used here, or may be, it's done to emphasize the adjective "big"?
Thank you very much.
Leyla.

[bud]

Hi Leyla,

The sentence is correct as written. I don't know how to explain the grammar, but in this case 'that' could be replaced with 'so.' Ex.: "If they can aim so big a gun at us, .." ('That' is acting as a modifier to 'big.')

Your proposed word order does not work with 'that' (or 'so'), but it does with 'such.' In this case, the meaning would be the same as the original: "If they can aim such a big gun at us,.."

By the way, your word order would work by adding a couple of commas: "If they can aim that, a big gun, at us,.." It has roughly the same meaning, but probably with a little less emphasis on the gun.

Hope that helps somewhat.

[Leyla]

Thank you very much, bud!
It sure helps!
I appreciate your consideration.
Leyla.

[bud]

My pleasure, Leyla. I'm glad it helped.