Adjectives used as nouns

In many sentences, adjectives are used to perform the purpose of nouns.

Examples are given below.

• The English are proud of their sense of humor.

Adjectives can be used with the article 'the’. These expressions are plural. Examples are given below: the rich, the poor, the jobless, the unemployed, the deaf, the blind etc.

• The rich should help the poor.
• The unemployed are losing hope.
• The government should do something for the jobless.

The adjective cannot be used without the article 'the’ in these expressions. In some cases, these expressions can have a singular meaning. Examples are: the accused, the injured, the diseased etc.

• The deceased is survived by his wife.

Some adjectives stand for persons. They can also be used as nouns.

• We should respect our elders.
• We should be kind to our inferiors.
• The seniors should not torment their juniors.
• The rights of minors should be protected.

Adjectives can form part of certain phrases.

• In short, you must behave well.
• The long and short of this is that he has lost his credibility.
• I shall stand by you through thick and thin.
• At best, I can arrange lodging for two more nights.

Nouns are commonly used as adjectives.

• She is a book worm. (Here the noun book acts as an adjective modifying the noun worm.)
• You lack table manners.