Adjectives Used Without a Noun
B1 Upper-Intermediate
Groups · Nationalities · Style
What is “the + adjective”?
- Meaning a whole group of people described by an adjective: the elderly, the poor, the unemployed.
- Grammar the phrase is plural in meaning and takes a plural verb: The rich are taxed differently.
- Alternative you can say adjective + people: rich people, blind people. (No the for general reference.)
Use this pattern for well-known social groups; we don’t form it freely with any adjective (*the beautiful* is literary/poetic, not neutral).
Common group labels
| Type | Examples | Model sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Age | the young, the elderly, the old | The elderly often need special transport. |
| Health / ability | the sick, the disabled, the deaf, the blind | The deaf use sign languages in many countries. |
| Economy / status | the poor, the rich, the homeless, the jobless, the unemployed | The homeless are receiving extra support this winter. |
| Other fixed sets | the injured, the living, the dead | The injured were taken to hospital. |
Style note: some labels (e.g. the handicapped, the jobless) may sound outdated or impolite in modern English. Prefer people-first phrases in formal contexts: people with disabilities, people who are unemployed.
General vs specific
- General No article with plural/uncountable nouns: I like flowers (not *the flowers*).
- Two correct options the poor = poor people.
- Individual Don’t use the + adjective for one person: say a poor person / someone who is poor.
Nationalities: the + adjective
Nationality adjectives ending in -ch, -sh, -ese, -ss can refer to the whole nation.
- The English love tea. (= English people)
- The Swiss make precision watches.
- The Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year.
- The Welsh / the Irish / the French are all correct with this pattern.
Capitalise nationality words: the French, the Chinese. The phrase is plural in meaning: The Chinese are…
Nationalities: plural noun forms
Most other nationalities use a plural noun with the to mean “all people of that nationality”.
- The Brazilians / the Italians / the Greeks
- The Belgians are famous for chocolate.
Singular reference
- Regular: a Brazilian, a Moroccan, an Italian
- For -ch/-sh/-ese/-ss adjectives, use man/woman/person or a special noun: an Englishman / Englishwoman / English person; a Chinese person; a Swiss person.
- Special demonyms: a Spaniard, a Dane, a Finn, a Scot, a Pole, a Swede, a Turk.
Form & agreement
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| the + adjective behaves like a plural noun (people) | The poor need support. (not *needs*) |
| No plural -s after the adjective | ✔ the dead · ✖ *the deads* |
| Abstract use is possible in fixed phrases (not people) | the unknown, the supernatural, the extraordinary (often singular idea) |
Common pitfalls to avoid
- ❌ Using it for one person: *the blind came in* → ✔ a blind person came in.
- ❌ Lower-case nationalities: *the french* → ✔ The French.
- ❌ Wrong verb agreement: *The rich is* → ✔ The rich are.
- ❌ Over-general or impolite labels in formal writing; prefer people-first nouns where appropriate.
Exercises:
Adjectives Used Without a Noun
Choose the correct adjective or noun forms to complete the sentences below.
1
____ are famous for their hospitality and storytelling.
2
Complaints about the new timetable come mostly from
.
3
Rotterdam police have arrested
in connection with the case.
4
They organise sports tournaments for
.
5
Quito was colonised in the sixteenth century by
.
6
Many experts argue that
should not be held in solitary confinement.
7
How do
usually celebrate New Year’s Eve?
8
Typically,
are known for their punctuality.
9
More government funding should go to
.
10
Emergency shelters are full; the city is trying to rehouse
before winter.
Adjectives Used Without a Noun
Choose the correct forms to complete the sentences below.
1
Carriages reserved for ____ should be respected.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
____ often find city rents too high.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
____ are voting in record numbers this year.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
The new policy aims to support ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
____ are famous for their cheeses and bread.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
____ make reliable cameras and cars.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
Tickets are half price for ____ on Wednesdays.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
Aid organizations are raising money for ____ affected by the floods.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
Taxes should be fair to ____ as well as to the rich.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
Historically, ____ have lived in the Alps for centuries.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Adjectives Used Without a Noun
Rewrite the underlined phrase using the + adjective or the + noun.
1
The people who live in Greece love islands. ⇒ love islands.
2
People from Japan are very punctual. ⇒ are very punctual.
3
The people who were injured received treatment. ⇒ received treatment.
4
There are ramps so that people who use wheelchairs can enter. ⇒ There are ramps so that can enter.
5
People from Brazil are passionate about football. ⇒ are passionate about football.
6
Nurses care for people who are elderly. ⇒ Nurses care for .
7
We raised money for people without homes. ⇒ We raised money for .
8
Tax rules should be fair for people who are rich. ⇒ Tax rules should be fair for .
9
More support is needed for people who are poor. ⇒ More support is needed for .
10
People from the Netherlands cycle a lot. ⇒ cycle a lot.