Fill in the blanks.
1. …………………….. are not always cowards.
When an adjective is used to denote a class of people, it is always used with the. The cautious means the same as cautious people.
2. The richest ……………………….. not always the happiest.
Adjectives used to denote a class of persons are always plural and take the plural verb.
3. Blessed as ……………………….
When an adjective is used to denote a class of people, it is always used with the.
4. …………………….. is uncertain.
Sometimes adjectives are used to denote some abstract quality. In this case also they are used with the article the.
5. ………………………. we know nothing.
No article is used in this expression.
6. I must have the terms down in ……………………….
7. I am afraid his situation is going from ………………………..
No articles are used in these expressions
8. The unemployed ……………………….. losing hope.
When the + adjective refers to a well-known group of people, it is plural.
9. The government should do something to solve …………………………
These expressions cannot be used with the possessive ’s.
10. I am ………………………… in my family.
Superlatives are often used without a noun if the meaning is clear.
11. I can’t afford ………………………….
The correct structure is that + adjective /adverb + article + noun
12. ………………………… is she?
The correct structure is how + adjective / adverb + a/an + noun. Note that the article goes after the noun in this special structure.
Answers
1. The cautious are not always cowards.
2. The richest are not always the happiest.
3. Blessed as the meek.
4. The future is uncertain.
5. In short we know nothing.
6. I must have the terms down in black and white.
7. I am afraid his situation is going from bad to worse.
8. The unemployed are losing hope.
9. The government should do something to solve poor people’s problems / the problems of the poor.
10. I am the shortest / the shortest person in my family.
11. I can’t afford that big a car.
12. How good a dancer is she?
