Special Uses Of Adjectives
Fill in the blanks.
1. …………………….. are not always cowards.
Cautious
The cautious
Cautious people
When an adjective is used to denote a class of people, it is always used with the. The
cautious means the same as cautious people.
2. The richest ……………………….. not always the happiest.
is
are
Either could be used here
Adjectives used to denote a class of persons are always plural and take the plural verb.
3. Blessed as ……………………….
meek
the meek
Either could be used here
When an adjective is used to denote a class of people, it is always used with the.
4. …………………….. is uncertain.
Future
The future
Either could be used here
Sometimes adjectives are used to denote some abstract quality. In this case also they are
used with the article the.
5. ………………………. we know nothing.
In short
Special Uses Of Adjectives
In the short
No article is used in this expression.
6. I must have the terms down in ……………………….
the black and white
black and white
7. I am afraid his situation is going from ………………………..
bad to worse
the bad to worse
No articles are used in these expressions
8. The unemployed ……………………….. losing hope.
is
are
Either could be used here
When the + adjective refers to a well-known group of people, it is plural.
9. The government should do something to solve …………………………
the poor’s problems
poor people’s problems
the problems of the poor
These expressions cannot be used with the possessive ’s.
10. I am ………………………… in my family.
the shortest
the shortest person
Either could be used here
Superlatives are often used without a noun if the meaning is clear.
Special Uses Of Adjectives
11. I can’t afford ………………………….
that a big car
that big a car
that big car
The correct structure is that + adjective /adverb + article + noun
12. ………………………… is she?
How good a dancer
How good dancer
How a good dancer
The correct structure is how + adjective / adverb + a/an + noun. Note that the article goes
after the noun in this special structure.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. The cautious are not always cowards.
2. The richest are not always the happiest.
3. Blessed as the meek.
4. The future is uncertain.
5. In short we know nothing.
6. I must have the terms down in black and white.
7. I am afraid his situation is going from bad to worse.
8. The unemployed are losing hope.
9. The government should do something to solve poor people’s problems / the problems of
the poor.
10. I am the shortest / the shortest person in my family.
11. I can’t afford that big a car.
12. How good a dancer is she?