wouldn't be too strong a word

Hi Tarkowsky

Actually, "a too long sentence" is not too common a structure in English.   I'd categorize "a too long sentence" not only as unnatural, but also as incorrect.

You can say this:  That sentence is too long.
Or you can say this:  That is too long a sentence.
You can say this:  That is an overly long sentence.
You can also say this:  That is a very long sentence.
You should not say this:  That is a too long sentence.


The word 'too' is a special case.  The usual pattern in this case is too+adjective+a+countable noun

too expensive a car
too easy a question
too rosy a picture
too small a sample
too optimistic a view
too steep a hill
much too long a sentence

Tidus wrote:

In English, you can't  'a' too (unless you're sneezing?)  Don't use 'a' if the next word is going to be "too".

Hello Tidus,
Here are a few reputable websites using 'a too'. They use hyphen to combine too and the adjective follows it. There must be an exception, right?

The Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/05/07/how_can_you_muffle_a_too_loud_talker/  (A Too-Loud Talker)
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/01/25/a_too_harsh_law_on_juvenile_murder/ (A Too-Harsh Law)

The Sidney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/sins-beget-sins-in-a-tooreal-satire/2006/05/04/1146335864530.html (A Too-Real Satire)

The New York Times:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1DD1431F935A35751C1A966958260 (a too-narrow June election victory)

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/pmhj/ (a too-tidy mind)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7094262.stm (a too-sharp and too-quick devaluation)

Best,
Hoa Thai