Why does the article change positions in the following?
such a good person
so good a person
Haven't been able to answer my student's question on this one, and if you change the adjectives to "very good", it becomes a very good person or so very good a person. I'm sure there must be a reason. :)
"Such" is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns or noun phrases. In the example "such" is modifying the entire noun phrase "a good person."
"So" on the other hand is an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives (as well as verbs and other adverbs, although those two aren't relative here). "So" is modifying just the adjective "good"
For reference, see the Merriam Webster definitions for such and so.
You don't add an article before an adjective unless the adjective is placed right before a noun.
Ex:
such a good person - correct
such a good - incorrect
Similarly,
he is a fine artist - correct
he is a fine - incorrect
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
