Page 46 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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These expressions are plural; singular equivalents are for example an Irishwoman, a Welshman (NOT tl Welsh).
Where nouns exist, these are preferred to expressions with the . . .ish: we say the Danes or the Turks (NOT the Dtlttish OR the Turkish).
singular examples
In a few formal fixed phrases, the + adjective can have a singular meaning. These include the accused, the undersigned, the deceased, the former and
the latter.
The accused was released on baiL
... Mr Gray and Mrs Cook; the latter is a well-known designer.
abstract ideas
Adjectives are sometimes used after the to refer to general abstract ideas, especially in philosophical writing. (Examples: the beautiful, the supernatural, the unreal.) These expressions are singular.
She's interested in the supernaturaL
choices
We sometimes leave out a noun that has already been mentioned, or which does not need to be mentioned, when thinking about a choice between two or more different kinds of thing.
Have you got any bread?-Do you want white or brown?
I'd like two large packets and one smalL
Colour adjectives can sometimes have a plural -s in this situation.
Wash the reds and blUJ!S separately. (= red and blue clothes) superlatives
Nouns are often left out after superlative adjectives.
I'm the tallest in my family. We bought the cheapest. For other srructures in which nouns can be left out, see 180.
adjectives (7): pronunciation of aged, naked etc
A few adjectives ending in -ed have a special pronunciation: the last syllable is pronounced /Id/ instead of /d/ or /t/(see 421.2).
aged /'eId3Id/ (= very old) beloved /bI'lAVId/ crooked /'krukId/
cursed /,k3:SId/
naked /,neIkIdl ragged /'rm9Id/ rugged /'rA9Id/
blessed /,blesId/
dogged /,dD9Id/
learned /,13:md/
sacred /'seIknd/
wicked /'wIkId/
wretched /'retJId/ onelthreelfour-legged /,le9Id/
adjectives (7): pronunciation of aged, naked etc 18
Note that aged is pronounced /eId3d/ when it means 'years old' (as in He has a daughter aged ten), or when it is a verb.
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