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You are here: Home / Lessons / Adjectives used as nouns

Adjectives used as nouns

July 8, 2015 - pdf

In many sentences, adjectives are used to perform the purpose of nouns.

Examples are given below.

  • The English are proud of their sense of humor.

Adjectives can be used with the article ‘the’. These expressions are plural. Examples are given below: the rich, the poor, the jobless, the unemployed, the deaf, the blind etc.

  • The rich should help the poor.
  • The unemployed are losing hope.
  • The government should do something for the jobless.

The adjective cannot be used without the article ‘the’ in these expressions. In some cases, these expressions can have a singular meaning. Examples are: the accused, the injured, the diseased etc.

  • The deceased is survived by his wife.

Some adjectives stand for persons. They can also be used as nouns.

  • We should respect our elders.
  • We should be kind to our inferiors.
  • The seniors should not torment their juniors.
  • The rights of minors should be protected.

Adjectives can form part of certain phrases.

  • In short, you must behave well.
  • The long and short of this is that he has lost his credibility.
  • I shall stand by you through thick and thin.
  • At best, I can arrange lodging for two more nights.

Nouns are commonly used as adjectives.

  • She is a book worm. (Here the noun book acts as an adjective modifying the noun worm.)
  • You lack table manners.
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