MNW English Grammar » Determiners » Pre-determiners - SUCH, WHAT, RATHER, QUITE
Pre-determiners - SUCH, WHAT, RATHER, QUITE
These words are normally placed before the indefinite article.
Such and what are often used to express surprise or other emotions:
Examples
- What a lovely day!
- She's such a lovely woman!
- What an incredible film!
- He's such a fantastic guitarist!
Rather and quite are 'commenting' words, referring to the degree of a particular quality. They can express disappointment, pleasure, or other emotions, and are used before a/an + adjective + noun:
Examples
- It's rather a small car. (= I'm a bit disappointed because it's small)
- It was quite a nice day.(= I was agreeably surprised.)
- He's had quite a bad accident. (= I'm worried)
- I've just met rather a nice man. (= I'm pleased)