GRAMMAR: Adjectives Without Nouns

Hi Superstars! Do you know what adjectives are? They are words that tell us more about nouns, like 'a happy dog' or 'a big house'. Today, we're going to learn a cool trick! Sometimes, we can use an adjective with the word 'the' (like 'the brave') to talk about a whole group of people who are brave, without even saying the word 'people'! It's like a secret code in grammar. Let's find out how it works and when we can use it!

Adjectives are often used without nouns.

Using "The + Adjective"

To Refer to Some Well-Known Groups of People

The structure the + adjective is used to talk about some well-known groups of people. Examples are: the blind, the deaf, the unemployed, the rich, the poor, the young, the old, the dead etc.

He is collecting money for the blind. (= He is collecting money for blind people.)

Blessed are the meek.

The government should do something for the poor.

Note that these expressions are always plural. The blind means all blind people. Similarly, the dead means all dead people. Adjectives are not normally used in this way without the.

Blessed are the meek. (NOT: Blessed are meek.)

These expressions cannot be used with a possessive ‘s.

The problems of the blind should be properly addressed.
OR
Blind people’s problems should be properly addressed.
(NOT: The blind’s problems should be properly addressed.)

Singular Meanings in Fixed Phrases

In a few fixed phrases, the + adjective can have a singular meaning. Examples include: the accused, the former, the latter, the deceased etc.

The accused was released on bail.

Note that plural meanings are also possible for some of these (e.g., "The accused were released on bail." if referring to multiple people).

Abstract Ideas

An adjective can be used after the to refer to some abstract quality or idea.

She doesn’t believe in the supernatural.

The future (= futurity) is unknown to us.

Adjectives of Nationality

Some adjectives of nationality ending in -sh, -ch, -ese, or -ss can be used after the without nouns. These adjectives include:

Irish, Welsh, English, British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Swiss etc.

The Irish are proud of their sense of humor.

The French are famous for their cuisine.

Note that expressions like the Irish, the English etc., are plural. The singular equivalents are, for example, an Irishman or an Englishwoman.

More Examples of "The + Adjective"

Here are some more examples to help you understand:

The sick need our care and attention.
(Answer: Sick people)
We should always respect the elderly.
(Answer: Elderly people)
The charity helps the homeless find shelter.
(Answer: Homeless people)
The brave are often admired for their courage.
(Answer: Brave people)
The strong can help protect the weak.
(Answer: Strong people; Weak people)
Robin Hood famously stole from the rich to give to the poor.
(Answer: Rich people; Poor people)
A new law was passed to support the disabled.
(Answer: Disabled people)
The innocent should not be punished.
(Answer: Innocent people)
This museum is dedicated to the famous.
(Answer: Famous people)
We learn from the wisdom of the old.
(Answer: Old people)
He spoke about the unknown with a sense of wonder.
(Answer: Things or concepts that are not known - an abstract idea)
The beautiful can be found in nature.
(Answer: Beautiful things or concepts - an abstract idea)
The Dutch are famous for their tulips.
(Answer: Dutch people)
The course explored the good, the bad, and the ugly in cinema.
(Answer: Good things/people; Bad things/people; Ugly things/people - can be abstract or refer to groups)
We must provide for the needy in our community.
(Answer: Needy people)
The young often have innovative ideas.
(Answer: Young people)
Superheroes fight for the good.
(Answer: Goodness, or good things/people - can be abstract)
The news reported on the missing.
(Answer: Missing people)

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

Here are some words from our lesson that might be new, with simple meanings:

Abstract: Relating to ideas or qualities rather than concrete things you can touch. Example: love, freedom.
Accused: A person or people charged with a crime.
Addressed: Dealt with or given attention to.
Adjectives: Words that describe nouns (people, places, things, or ideas). Example: red car, happy girl.
Admired: Respected or looked up to.
Bail: Money paid to a court so that an accused person can be free until their trial.
Blessed: Very happy or lucky; favored by God.
Charity: An organization that helps people in need.
Courage: Bravery; being able to do something scary.
Cuisine: A style or way of cooking, often from a particular country.
Deceased: A person who has died.
Dedicated: Made for or devoted to a special purpose.
Disabled: People who have a physical or mental condition that limits their movements, senses, or activities.
Enhance: To improve something or make it better.
Equivalents: Things that are equal to or the same as something else.
Expressions: Words or phrases used to say something.
Fixed phrases: Groups of words that are always used together and have a special meaning.
Former: The first of two people or things mentioned.
Futurity: The future, or time that is to come.
Government: The group of people who rule a country or state.
Grammar: The rules of a language for how words are put together to make sentences.
Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
Latter: The second of two people or things mentioned.
Meek: Gentle, quiet, and unwilling to argue or fight.
Nationality: Belonging to a particular nation or country. Example: Indian, American.
Nouns: Words for people, places, things, or ideas. Example: teacher, school, book, happiness.
Plural: Meaning more than one. Example: 'cats' is plural for 'cat'.
Possessive: Shows ownership or belonging. Example: 'Sarah's book' (the book belongs to Sarah).
Primary Students: Young students, usually in the early years of school (ages 5-11).
Quality: A characteristic or feature of something.
Refer: To talk about or mention someone or something.
Responsive (design): A webpage that looks good and works well on all devices, like computers, tablets, and phones.
Sense of humor: The ability to find things funny or make people laugh.
Shelter: A place that gives protection from danger or bad weather, like a home.
Singular: Meaning only one. Example: 'cat' is singular.
Structure: The way something is put together or organized.
Supernatural: Things that cannot be explained by science or the laws of nature, like ghosts or magic.
Unemployed: People who do not have a job.
Visual appeal: How nice or attractive something looks.
Wisdom: Being wise; having good judgment and knowledge.

Adjectives used without nouns