Adjectives – Part 2

1. Adjectives as nouns

Some adjectives can be used with ‘the’ to refer to a group of people. They function like a noun.

the blind the homeless the young

the accused the old the famous

the bizarre the deceased the poor

Some words are used as both nouns and adjectives without changing their form.

English, Italian, German, Chinese, American, etc.

chemical, musical, right, dear, elder, fun, indoor

2. Adjectives after verbs

We can use adjectives after linking verbs. Here is a list of the most common linking verb:

appear, be, become, come, feel, get, go, grow, turn, keep, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay

Examples with adjectives:

The project is difficult.

She felt happy all day.

It turned dark quickly.

You look upset.

The witness remained silent.

Adjectives starting with the letter ‘a’- and adjectives that describe health and feelings, tend to go after a linking verb. Often these adjectives have a related adjective which we can use before a noun or after a linking verb.

ablaze, aflame, afloat, afoot, afraid, alight, alike, alive, alone, aloof, ashamed, askew, asleep, awake, aware, fine, glad, ill, poorly, sorry, sure, unsure, upset, well, unwell

3. Adjectives after nouns

Some adjectives are used only after nouns. For example, fixed phrases:

secretary general, heir apparent, lieutenant major, force major, court martial, etc.

After anything, something, anywhere, somewhere, etc.:

anything interesting, somewhere quiet, something nice, etc

Have you met anybody interesting lately?

I’d like to go somewhere quiet this summer.

‘What would you like to have?’ ‘Something nice and sweet.’

Some adjectives which end in –able/-ible can go before or after the noun without change in their meaning. They usually go after the noun when combined with the words only, first and last.

suitable, available, possible, imaginable, etc.

I will employ the first candidate suitable for the position. (=first suitable candidate)

The only solution possible is to find a new manager. (=the only possible solution)

4. Change in meaning

Some adjectives change their meaning depending on their position.

elect, proper, present, concerned, responsible, involved, opposite

a proper city = a real city

the city proper = the main part of the city

the concerned parents = the parents who are concerned

the parents concerned = the parents involved

opposite points of view = opinions which conflict

the house opposite = the house on the other side of the road

the present director = the current director

the members present = the members who are here at the moment