as central a role

[kaze_hikaru]

Thank you for in advance!

the sentence is : Few things play as central a role in our everyday lives as language.

In this sentence, I think the order is strange.
Isn't "as a central role", not "as central a role".
Isn't it wrong grammar? or is there a special rule?

 

[Biffo]

This is perfectly normal and correct.

Here are some more examples

He's as good a footballer as it is possible to be.

Now is as good a time as any to go on holiday.

She is as kind a person as you are likely to meet.

The pattern is

"...as <adjective> a <noun phrase> as..."