'Too High A' Or Just 'Too High'?

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'Too High A' Or Just 'Too High'?

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Dear Someone,

As far as I know, "too high a concentration" is correct English, but "too high concentration" does not seem to be correct - well at least it gives below 1000 hits on Google, in comparison to 22 000 for the first alternative.

But, "too high viscosity" gives 242 Google hits, whereas "Too high a viscosity" yields 384 Google hits. This makes me think both are acceptable.

Is "too high viscosity" correct, but "too high concentration" incorrect / sounds bad? Why?

( If both are correct, I'm very surprised by [the vast drop in the number of hits when "a" is dropped from "too high a concentration"], which is not present when "a" is dropped from "too high a viscosity" )

Kind regards, Magnus

Aug 01 2006 08:12:20

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I actually use Google quite much (4 times for this post (not including the original post) :-)), but of course you're right that I shouldn't trust Google too much. I try to forget what Google "told" me unless one alternative dominates over other alternatives with a factor of 50 or 100 or 1000 or something - which however quite often is the case, I think :-)

By the way, perhaps Google in a way can be thought of as reflecting ((oops Google just told me to insert an "as" before "reflecting", with a factor of 100 :-) I hope that was correct)) the language of tomorrow :-) since the language is steadily changing (well, if you neglect hordes of utterly crazy errors...).

Thanks for your help; this forum seems really lovely to me :-) (I'm somewhat surprised it's free and open to anyone.)

Aug 03 2006 15:03:31

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"Concentration" is a countable noun, whereas "viscosity" is uncountable. You can have a concentration, but you cannot have a viscosity. Hence, we usually say "too high a concentration", but it´s less common to say "too high a viscosity".

Jun 20 2017 04:42:51

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I actually use Google quite much (4 times for this post (not including the original post) :-)), but of course you're right that I shouldn't trust Google too much. I try to forget what Google "told" me unless one alternative dominates over other alternatives with a factor of 50 or 100 or 1000 or something - which however quite often is the case, I think :-)

By the way, perhaps Google in a way can be thought of as reflecting ((oops Google just told me to insert an "as" before "reflecting", with a factor of 100 :-) I hope that was correct)) the language of tomorrow :-) since the language is steadily changing (well, if you neglect hordes of utterly crazy errors...).

Thanks for your help; this forum seems really lovely to me :-) (I'm somewhat surprised it's free and open to anyone.)
"Concentration" is a countable noun, whereas "viscosity" is uncountable. You can have a concentration, but you cannot have a viscosity. Hence, we usually say "too high a concentration", but it´s less common to say "too high a viscosity".

Clive · Accepted Answer · 2006-08-01T15:04

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

'too high a . . . . ' is the correct form in both of your examples.

If I were you, I wouldn't be surprised at anything you find via Google. The internet is like the Wild West.

Another common error is, eg, 'too high of a concentration'.

Best wishes, Clive

Philip · Accepted Answer · 2006-08-01T16:10

Clive
If I were you, I wouldn't be surprised at anything you find via Google. The internet is like the Wild West.

Amen! Google is a source for a good feel of what is being written, but not necessarily how it should be written.

'Too High A' Or Just 'Too High'?

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