Which is correct
it is not that big a deal
or
it is not that big of a deal
Why does "of" need to be added ?
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"Not that bid a deal" is the standard form, "not that big of a deal" is an informal variant.
This informal usage often found with the adverbs like how and too followed by a descriptive adjective, probably on the model of constructions like "how much" and "too much":
Of is sometimes added to phrases beginning with the adverb how or too followed by a descriptive adjective: How long of a drive will it be? It's too hot of a day for tennis.
This construction is probably modeled on that in which how or too is followed by much,an unquestionably standard use in all varieties of speech and writing: How much of a problem will that cause the government? There was too much of an uproar for the speaker to be heard.
The use of "of" with descriptive adjectives after how or too is largely restricted to informal speech. It occurs occasionally in informal writing and written representations of speech.
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