📓 "A Noun This Big" — A Spoken Structure You Need to Know
Native speakers often put "this" or "that" + adjective AFTER the noun instead of before it. It's a small trick, but it makes your English sound more natural and emphatic the moment you start using it.
Spoken English · Hidden Structure🎯 Core Idea
Instead of saying "such a big failure", native speakers often say "a failure this big." The adjective jumps to the END of the noun with "this" or "that" in front of it. It's a natural, emphatic structure that feels like you're gesturing with your hands as you describe the size. Most B1–B2 textbooks never teach it, but you'll hear it every single day.
⚡ The Pattern
What People Actually Say
a / an + noun + this / that + adjective
The adjective goes AFTER the noun — feels emphatic and spoken
"You can't paper over a failure this big with a nice speech."
→ This is the natural, dramatic, real-life version
The Normal Version
such a / such an + adjective + noun
Standard structure — works in all contexts, slightly more neutral
"You can't paper over such a big failure with a nice speech."
→ Same meaning, but less emphatic and more textbook-style
🔍 Same Meaning, Different Feel
"I've never seen a crowd this big." vs "I've never seen such a big crowd."
→ First = punchy, spoken, emphatic · Second = standard, neutral
"A mistake this serious can't be ignored." vs "Such a serious mistake can't be ignored."
→ First = dramatic, real-life · Second = formal, textbook
"I don't want a house that expensive." vs "I don't want such an expensive house."
→ First = natural, conversational · Second = slightly stiffer
"She handled a situation this difficult alone." vs "She handled such a difficult situation alone."
→ First = spoken, vivid · Second = written, neutral
⚠️ Don't Confuse These Two!
Be careful — "a failure this big" and "this big failure" are NOT the same thing!
✅ "a failure this big" → describing the SIZE of any failure (general, emphatic)
✅ "this big failure" → pointing at ONE specific failure you already know about
For example: "This big failure cost us millions" — here you're talking about one specific failure. But "a failure this big is rare" means any failure of this size in general.
✅ "a failure this big" → describing the SIZE of any failure (general, emphatic)
✅ "this big failure" → pointing at ONE specific failure you already know about
For example: "This big failure cost us millions" — here you're talking about one specific failure. But "a failure this big is rare" means any failure of this size in general.
💬 Real-Life Examples You'll Hear
a crowd this big
"I didn't expect a crowd this big on a Tuesday night."
→ Surprised at the size — the speaker is almost gesturing with their hands
a problem this complicated
"We can't solve a problem this complicated in one meeting."
→ Emphasising the difficulty — sounds honest and realistic
a mess this big
"How did you make a mess this big in ten minutes?"
→ A parent to a child — dramatic and vivid
a bill this high
"I've never seen a bill this high for a single meal."
→ Shocked at a restaurant — the "this high" adds real feeling
a decision this important
"A decision this important shouldn't be made in a hurry."
→ Serious and thoughtful — emphasises the weight of the decision
a storm this strong
"We haven't had a storm this strong in twenty years."
→ Describing intensity — very natural in news and conversation
an opportunity this rare
"You don't get an opportunity this rare very often."
→ Encouraging someone to take a chance — vivid and warm
a question this personal
"I'm not comfortable answering a question this personal."
→ Setting a boundary — direct but polite
✏️ Try It Yourself
I can't read a book ____ long. (this)
→ "I can't read a book this long in one weekend."
We need a team ____ big to finish on time. (that)
→ "We need a team that big to finish on time."
She's never faced a challenge ____ tough. (this)
→ "She's never faced a challenge this tough before."
I didn't expect a response ____ negative. (this)
→ "I didn't expect a response this negative from the team."
💡 Key Takeaway
When you want to describe the size or degree of something in a natural, emphatic way, move the adjective to the END of the noun with "this" or "that" in front of it.
"A failure this big," "a crowd that huge," "a problem this serious" — these aren't grammar mistakes. They're real, everyday English, and they make you sound much more fluent than "such a big failure." Start listening for this pattern — you'll hear it everywhere.
"A failure this big," "a crowd that huge," "a problem this serious" — these aren't grammar mistakes. They're real, everyday English, and they make you sound much more fluent than "such a big failure." Start listening for this pattern — you'll hear it everywhere.