"as good a guys"

[Benjamin Barrett]

Laurence Horn wrote:
> At 1:07 PM -0700 5/26/07, Benjamin Barrett wrote:
>
>> I sent this construction to a friend who responded: as good as any guys. BB
>>
>
> Well, that's close, but the difference between the two possible
> singular versions
>
> He's as good (of) a guy as any I've ever coached.
> He's as good as any guy I've ever coached.
>
> suggests that the substitution doesn't yield a perfect paraphrase.
>
I considered that as well, but despite the difference in rhythm, they
feel syntactically identical with the exception of person. BB

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