The Group
Group names derived from adjectives
Adjective-Group Names
| A + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
Usually when we use an adjective as a modifier, both the adjective and the noun are present together. |
However, in some cases, we use the + adjective (without a noun) to talk about a particular group of people who are in a particular physical or social condition. |
A blind person uses assistive technology. |
The blind use assistive technology. (the deaf, the handicapped) |
A young person expects to be able to find a job. |
The young expect to be able to find jobs. (the restless) |
An accused man was sent to jail to await his trial. |
The accused was sent to jail to await his trial. (the undersigned, the deceased– legal terms) |
A poor person hopes to live a better life. |
The poor hope to live a better life. (the rich, the wealthy,the homeless) |
An unemployed person hopes to find a new job quickly. |
The unemployed hope to find new jobs quickly. (the retired, the underemployed, the jobless) |
A dying person should prepare himself. |
The living should prepare themselves. (the dead, the dying, the deceased) |
assistive technology (n.) – portable reading devices, talking GPS and so on.
The Group
Nationality Names
Adjective–Nationality Names
| AN + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
An adjective for a particular nationality can be used to modify a singular noun, such as person, man, woman, child, etc. |
With some nationalities, the + adjective is used if no noun exists. The singular word (a mass noun) uses plural agreement. |
An English person enjoys a good strong cup of tea. (English tea is strong and black.) |
The English drink strong black tea. (French, Irish, Dutch Welsh) |
A Chinese person can be optimistic about her country's future. |
The Chinese are optimistic about their country's future. (Japanese, Burmese, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Portuguese) |
See previous page: A-Nationality -ese / -ish
Selected-Quality Name
The + adjective
Named by a Selected Quality
| AN + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
When thinking about a choice between two or more things, we often use an adjective. |
When the choice has already been mentioned, we often leave out a noun, especially with colors, material, ingredients and size. |
Only a wheat and a sour dough roll is left. (Two) |
He'll take the wheat. (the noun is not repeated) |
We have a white or a blue car. |
I would like the blue. |
Would you like a large or a small coffee? "a coffee" (a cup of coffee) is restaurant speech |
I'd like the large, please. |
Unique-Quality Name
The (adjective)
The former / The latter
| A + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
Either former or latter can be used as a modifier to a noun. |
After a sentence in which one or more items is mentioned, former refers to the earliest item mentioned and latter refers to the last item mentioned. The word should be placed close to the word or idea to which it refers so as not to confuse the reader. Another option is to simply repeat the noun instead of using former or latter. |
Michael Jackson, a former pop star, died in June 2009. (past, previously, no longer) Elizabeth Taylor's career peaked near the latter half of the 20th century. (comparatively near the end) |
Michael Jackson(1) and Elizabeth Taylor(2) appeared at a birthday celebration together in 1997. The former(1) was the King of Pop and the latter(1) was a Hollywood legend. |
PopQ "Latter" (about using former and latter)
Unique in Order
| A + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
A word indicating order first or last can be used to modify a noun. |
After a sentence in which an adjective and noun have been mention, the second mention may use just the adjective: first refers to the earliest one (unique). |
A first kiss is something a young man or woman looks forward to. |
The first is always the most memorable. |
A last child quickly learns to out-guess his/her siblings. (brothers and sisters)
|
The last learns quickly to survive. |
Superlative — Unique in Quality
| AN + ADJECTIVE | THE + ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
When an adjective modifies a noun, the noun is included. |
However, after superlative adjectives, nouns are often left out . |
He's the tallest guy in my class. |
He's the tallest in my class. (the noun is not repeated) |
She is the most hardworking employee of all. |
She is the most hardworking of all.
|
See The-Superlatives
Practice 1
"A piece of the pie"
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.
Practice 2
World Exports
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.
The World's Largest Exporters and How they Make their Money. Herald Daily. 29 Mar 2010. http://heralddaily.com/2010/03/29/the-worlds-largest-exporters-and-how-they-make-their-money/
Practice 3
The former / The latter
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.