too good a

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "too good a" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
This part of a sentence is commonly used to refer to a singular noun that has already been identified in the sentence. Example: The boy was too good a student to give up on his dream.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're too good a team.

The New York Times - Sports

It's too good a name.

Independent

"You're too good a person.

The Washington Post

"This guy's too good a pitcher".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm too good a person".

The Guardian - Sport

"You're too good a hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

That's too good a deal to resist.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bobby Cox is too good a manager.

The New York Times - Sports

They're too good a side not to.

The Guardian - Sport

Almost too good a mood, in fact.

The Guardian - Music

Winning, they say, is too good a habit to break.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too good a" followed by a noun, ensure that the noun is singular and countable. For example, "He is too good a friend to betray."

Common error

Avoid using "too good a" with plural nouns or uncountable nouns. For instance, it's incorrect to say "too good a friends" or "too good a weather". Instead, use "too good friends" or "too good weather."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too good a" functions as an intensifier modifying a singular countable noun. It expresses that something possesses a quality to an excessive degree, often implying a surprising or almost unbelievable level of excellence. As Ludwig examples show, this can apply to a wide range of nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too good a" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in the English language. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it functions as an intensifier, modifying a singular countable noun to express an exceptionally high level of quality. The phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, especially in News & Media, and maintains a neutral register. Common errors include misusing it with plural nouns or uncountable nouns. To enhance your writing, ensure the noun is singular and countable when using "too good a". As Ludwig AI confirms, this part of a sentence is commonly used to refer to a singular noun that has already been identified in the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such a good

Emphasizes the high quality but uses "such" instead of "too" to modify "good".

so good a

Replaces "too" with "so" for emphasis, maintaining a similar structure.

very good

Simplifies the expression by removing "too" and "a", focusing on the basic quality.

exceptionally good

Uses a stronger adjective to highlight the superior quality.

remarkably good

Indicates that the quality is noteworthy or surprising.

extraordinarily good

Uses "extraordinarily" to emphasize the exceptional quality.

outstandingly good

Emphasizes that the quality is superior and stands out.

a quality too high

Inverts the sentence structure, emphasizing the high level of quality.

of such high quality

Focuses on the level of quality using a different phrasing.

a bit too good

Adds "a bit" to soften the assertion while maintaining the core meaning.

FAQs

How do I use "too good a" in a sentence?

The phrase "too good a" is followed by a singular countable noun. For example, "That's "too good a deal" to resist."

What are some alternatives to "too good a"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "such a good", "so good a", or "very good" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "too good of a"?

While "too good of a" might sound similar, "too good a" is the standard and more concise way to express the idea.

What does "too good a" imply about the quality being described?

It suggests that something is of such high quality that it may be surprising, difficult to believe, or potentially problematic in some way.