0
Darcy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Victor and vanquished

*Another great war could destroy victor and vanquished alike.


I think 'vanquished' is used as a noun in the above sentence.

But does 'vanquished' needs 'the' such as' the sick', 'the young'.

Is it possible to use 'vanquished' without 'the'? If so, could you give me another examples and explanation?

Thanks for reading.
  

Top answer

The article is often omitted before opposites or seeming opposites. Victor and vanquished can be considered opposites. Similar examples without articles: The sun shone from morning till evening.

  • The article is often omitted before opposites or seeming opposites.
  • Victor and vanquished can be considered opposites.
  • Similar examples without articles: The sun shone from morning till evening.
  • We travelled from east to west.
  • CB
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
The article is often omitted before opposites or seeming opposites. Victor and vanquished can be considered opposites. Similar examples without articles:

The sun shone from morning till evening.
We travelled from east to west.
CB
0
As CB has said, it is a matter of style, meter and rhythm rather than grammatical correctness. For example:

He came to judge the quick and the dead.

Related Questions