0
Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Is this OK to do?
Hi,
Can I put the definite article "the" in front of adjectives to form nouns that will be referring to various types of persons like these? Can we make that kind of change with just about any adjective?
the good -- the person who is good
the patient -- the person who is patient
the lazy -- the person who is lazy
Can I put the definite article "the" in front of adjectives to form nouns that will be referring to various types of persons like these? Can we make that kind of change with just about any adjective?
the good -- the person who is good
the patient -- the person who is patient
the lazy -- the person who is lazy
Top answer
Yes. I cannot speak for every adjective, though. g.
- Yes.
- I cannot speak for every adjective, though.
- g.
- good -- it applies to a mass of people, not a single person.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
Yes. I cannot speak for every adjective, though.
PS: This form applies to people who are e.g. good-- it applies to a mass of people, not a single person.
PS: This form applies to people who are e.g. good-- it applies to a mass of people, not a single person.
00
As Mister Micawber says, a noun formed by using the before an adjective usually refers to a group of people. You need a plural verb:
The rich like money. (I bet the poor do as well.)
However, on rare occasions the refernce can be to just one person, too:
The deceased is/are in the morgue.
If the reference is not to people, the verb is in the
The rich like money. (I bet the poor do as well.)
However, on rare occasions the refernce can be to just one person, too:
The deceased is/are in the morgue.
If the reference is not to people, the verb is in the
00
Yes, the can be used to define a class of similar things/beings:
The dog is man's best friend.
The dog is man's best friend.
0
Related Questions