Such vs Very.

[Cisco795]

"Such". Do not use "such" to mean " very."


Wrong : New York is such a crowded city.
Right : New York is a very crowded city.

I quite often have heard English native speakers using such an expression that I started using it the same way without really knowing it is improper, What is the reason behind this grammar statement here in "New York is such a crowded city" to be wrong?

By the way, I read it on the internet while studying English.
Thanks in advance, and might the Lord be with you.

Cisco.
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[Mister Micawber]

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There is nothing wrong with it, Cisco; it is just informal. It would look better with an exclamation point:

New York is such a crowded city!
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yankee]

Hi Cisco

I'm sure you have heard native speakers saying things such as "New York is such a crowded city." It is common informal usage in the US to use "such a" to mean "a very". However, this usage is often not accepted in formal writing unless it is qualified with a clause. For example:

"New York is such a crowded city that some people feel completely overwhelmed the first time they visit."

EDIT:
Oops! Sorry MrM, didn't see you there.
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[Mister Micawber]

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Fine! As usual, you complete me.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Nessie]

Hi Amy and MM,
May I have a question for you?

I've noticed that you two often use many periods in your posts (at both the beginning and the end of the posts). Could you please tell me if that is necessary in formal writing?

Thank you very much,
Nessie.
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:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Nessie]

[Mister Micawber]

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My 'periods' are just a way to frame my post by creating an upper and a lower margin.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

If the Cambridge Dictionary is any indication, the usage is the same:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=79577&dict=CALD
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Nessie]

Hi Amy,

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

You could add "it", but I would say that most people wouldn't.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Nessie]

Hi Amy,
Here I am taught that in formal/standard English, 'it' is compulsory, because 'visit' is a transitive verb, and this is not a sentence with relative pronoun ('that' doesn't modify 'visit'). In other words, the version without 'it' is wrong in formal/standard English. What do you think?

Many thanks,
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Cisco795]

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

Cisco is right. The verb "visit" is both transitive and intransitive. Keep in mind that if you added the word "it" to the end of my sentence, "it" could also be a refrence to something other than New York City -- depending on the broader context. In fact, I'd say that would be the most likely reason that someone might add "it" to that particular sentence.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln