First as pronoun
Hi. Let's say there are three people standing in line and the first person's name is John Doe and the second person's name is Jane Doe.
Can we write this?
The first is John Doe and the second is Jane Doe.
Or does it have to be this?
The first person (first one) is John Doe and the second person (second one) is Jane Doe.
I think I don't know when it is correct to use "first" or "second" as pronouns without any nouns following them. I hope it is clear. Please help.
Top answer
The first is John Doe and the second is Jane Doe. It would be OK in a suitable context where your reader is aware that you are talking about people standing in line. Otherwise, you might have to say "The first in line is John Doe, the second, "Jane Doe" Grammatically, "first" is an adjective here in a special kind of noun phrase called a 'fused modifier-head' construction, where "first" is interpreted as "first person".
- The first is John Doe and the second is Jane Doe.
- It would be OK in a suitable context where your reader is aware that you are talking about people standing in line.
- Otherwise, you might have to say "The first in line is John Doe, the second, "Jane Doe" Grammatically, "first" is an adjective here in a special kind of noun phrase called a 'fused modifier-head' construction, where "first" is interpreted as "first person".
- In other words, a noun after "first" is not required because "first" functions simultaneously as modifier and head noun.
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The first is John Doe and the second is Jane Doe.
It would be OK in a suitable context where your reader is aware that you are talking about people standing in line. Otherwise, you might have to say "The first in line is John Doe, the second, "Jane Doe"
Grammatically, "first" is an adjective here in a special kind of noun phrase called a 'fused modifier-head' construction,
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