Page 61 - pet225ebook
P. 61
People and culture
Adjectives as Nouns
Some adjectives are used as nouns to describe groups of people. The adjective takes
the place of the noun that the adjective modifies is removed. Each of these adjectives
must follow the definite the.
e.g. - sick people are referred to as the sick
- blind people referred to as the blind
- strong people referred to as the strong
The nouns are used in plural and the verbs that follow them must be plural.
e.g. - The injured were in the thousands.
- The disabled have found it very difficult to get a job.
- The rich do not really care about the welfare of the poor.
Sometimes, the noun is singular.
e.g. - The accused is found guilty.
- The deceased was believed to have killed himself.
- The blind walks into the pole before started sobbing.
Adjectives used as nouns without ‘the’. It depends on how the adjectival noun is used in a
sentence.
e.g. - We do take care of our elders.
- The government should do something for our homeless.
- There must be a law to ensure the rights of minors are protected.
