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。