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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Adjectives that become nouns?

what is the technical term for an adjective that acts like a noun?

for example, 'respecting the wise', of 'the hungry masses'.
  

Top answer

They are still adjectives; only their functions have changed-- they have become heads of noun phrases. 'Masses' is a plural noun; it is not an adjective. Adjectives as noun-phrase heads do not inflect for number.

  • They are still adjectives; only their functions have changed-- they have become heads of noun phrases.
  • 'Masses' is a plural noun; it is not an adjective.
  • Adjectives as noun-phrase heads do not inflect for number.
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1 Answers
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They are still adjectives; only their functions have changed-- they have become heads of noun phrases.

'Masses' is a plural noun; it is not an adjective. Adjectives as noun-phrase heads do not inflect for number.

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