5

I was reading news and found a mistake. I have just wanted to confirm that, as it does not sound natural to my ears. I feel that the article(a) or maybe this word(many) are not sounding naturally here. The writer should have used one of them instead of both, please check and let me know your feedback.

I read this in a newspaper:

At a time when she is expected to win many a trophy for her performance in queen (a Bollywood movie).

As per my opinion, these both options could be possible:

At a time when she is expected to win many trophies for her performance in queen(a Bollywood movie).

At a time when she is expected to win a trophy for her performance in queen(a Bollywood movie).

Both below sentences are sounding fine to me, but first one does not sound natural to me.

Improve this question
2

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

Nice question +1.

The word many here is used for the large indefinite number. And at times, this sort of phrase is used to describe that something which is after many is expected in large quantity. I'm familiar with this structure.

...expected to win many a trophy for her performance...

Simply means she's expected to win many trophies. It's the other way to tell that.

I found a reference here...

many a (adj) - each of a large indefinite number; "many a man"; "many another day will come"

Another interesting thing is on Cambridge. It defines many a time is equal to many times. Compare many a trophy = many trophies this way.

Improve this answer
2
  • This is all correct, except a "many a" is not an adjective. It seems to some kind of determiner.
    – Max
    Apr 4, 2014 at 14:04
  • @Max well the dictionary says that and as I have the link I had to write what's there. Though I agree with you
    – Maulik V
    Apr 4, 2014 at 14:07
1

Many a is certainly standard English.

Simply googling it shows the meaning.

Both your alternatives are also grammatical, but the original is certainly correct as well.

There is many a way to say things in English! :)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .