Noun and Adjective

Question

In a sentence like:

"You are a horse."

Would horse be a noun, and not an adjective? Since horse is a thing.

However, it is describing "you", so, it would be an adjective?

Here is one I came across that was even more confusing, though it may be inappropriate:

(Keep in mind, just an example)

"You are a retard."

Is retard a noun?

How about if you put it as:

"You are retarded"

Now I know, retarded is an adjective.

Help? I need this cleared-up. It is confusing because the word itself is a noun, yet it is describing another noun...

It isn't something like, "He is fast!"

Maj · Accepted Answer

Doesn't is sound a bit offensive?

Hitchhiker · Answer

Wushu: Using the word "******" is not a good idea; its original meaning is no longer valid and has been replaced by a fairly “hateful” way of referring to those with special needs.

Khorshed Alam · Answer

I am also face same problem
If you have any solution please provide me.

Khorshed

Louisthu · Answer

Here is what I think that is true.

1. He is a man (man is noun) Question is..What is he? (man or woman ???)

2. He is a nice man (nice is adj) Question is...what kind of man? (bad, good, or nice ???)

3. You are a retarded man. (retarded is adj) (same as no.2)

4. He is a fast runner. (fast is adj) (same as no.2 and 3)

In no.2, 3 and 4

nice, retarded, and fast are referring to man and runner, so they are adjectives.

In no.1

man is just a noun without adj. It doesn't refer anything.

Wushu · Answer

Okay, so am I right in this sentence:

"You are a ******"

You = Noun or subject

****** = Still a noun

However:

"You are retarded"

You = Noun/subject

Retarded = Adjective

?

For the rest of you, I use "******" as "just an example" as I noted above in my first post. Let's not get paranoid with words we choose as basic examples.

Louisthu · Answer

I believe you are right.

You are retarded.... that is the way we normally say
but when we write.

You are retarded man or woman. (to make a complete sentence, it is better this way)
Sub + V + Obj

retarded man is Obj. Otherwise question will come up.. retarded what ??? you need Obj.

Wushu · Answer

Hey thanks for clearing that up.

Whl626 · Answer

You are a ******.

In this sentence the subject = object

You are retarded.

****** is an adj modying the subject ' You '.

Pedant · Answer

Excellent question, Wushu. Yes, "horse" and "******" are both nouns. And in this case, each is a predicate nominative -- a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and refers to the subject. Linking verbs can be followed by nouns or adjectives: e.g., "******" or "retarded."

The other interesting thing about predicate nominatives is that when they are pronouns, we use the subjective case, not the objective: "This is she." "The last two standing were John and I." "Is it he you wanted?"

For the record, the offensiveness of "******" is irrelevant. It is an English word and, as such, has its place in English grammar.

Anonymous · Answer

Retarded Is A Noun Or Verb...And That Is So Cause You Can't Say I'm Actin Retarded..So Retarded is a noun or verb..<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Noun and Adjective

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