adjectives to denote people, a thing and use as a pronoun

Question

Hi,I think an adjective that is preceded by the definite article "the" can allude to people, a thing or it can be used as a pronoun.eg, as a pronoun? What kind of beer/what beer would you like to have? The best as I usually have it. You know what it is. I come here everyday.refer a thing? What kind of car do you favor? The luxurious fits my taste for cars.refer people? What kind of people drive this? The wealthy -- what do you think?I think my examples probably are not perfect examples but if you get the gist of what I am trying to find out, please help.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I agree with you to a certain extent. I'm sure there must be an ESL term for an adjective used as a noun in this way. I know that if you look up "wealthy" in the dictionary you'll find it listed only as an adjective, and not as a noun. But it can clearly be used as the subject of a sentence. "The wealthy pay no taxes."

In the case of "things," consider Henry Kissinger's famous quote, "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." In the first sentence, an adjective serves as direct object of the verb. In the second, an adjective serves as subject of the sentence.

I have to take issue with your pronoun idea, however. I understand the point of your example, and the difference between it and your "thing" example. When you say "the luxurious" (the "illegal", the "unconstitutional") people know pretty much what you mean. But when you say "the best," that is far too general, and requires an explanation. Okay, you have an understanding with the bartender that when you say "the best" (adjective) you're speaking of a particular brand of beer. It's a code word for that beer. You could program your computer to work that way, but you can't just make up your own pronouns for special situations.

If you say, "I want the best for my children," sure, you're using an adjective for a noun, to serve as direct object of the verb. But you can't call it a pronoun. Only specific words may be called pronouns. Some grammarians would probably stick a noun into your sentence in parentheses and say it's understood. "I want the best (of everything). The difference here is that my sentence doesn't require a special arrangement with the bartender. People would understand what my sentence means. If you walk into a strange bar and say, "Give me the best," your sentence has no meaning. (Well, maybe the most expensive drink in the house.)

best wishes, - A.

Edit. Hmmm, in "I want the best of everything," "best" still functions as a noun!

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,

I think Mr.M said something like we use adjectives after a definite article in place of a pronoun in a lot of cases. I remember his example went something like this:

In a bar:

What would you have it? Or what would you like to have?
The usual...

Avangi · Answer

I'd say "it" and "what" may be considered to be pronouns. I have absolutely no problem with the usages you suggest, and I sympathize with your attempts to codify them; but you'll have to be patient if the language community is slow in catching up with your terminology.

Edit. Sorry, I missed your MrM example. "The usual." Can you give me an example of the pronoun this replaces? Possibly a demonstrative pronoun, "That!" ?? Clearly, "The usual" functions as a noun here. "[I'll have] the usual." It's object of the verb in this "sentence." I suppose you can say if a word is some other part of speech (adjective) and it "takes the place" of a noun, than it's a pronoun. After all, the definition of a pronoun is "a word that takes the place of a noun." But that's all a pronoun is. It isn't also an adjective. So why bring "pronouns" into the picture at all?? Why not say "the usual" takes the place of a noun - "a shot of Drambui"??

I think my misunderstanding just centers around the terminology. Using an adjective in place of a pronoun is okay by me. Using an adjective as a pronoun I have a problem with. Sorry if I'm misreading you. - A.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your response that had a great number of examples, tinged with the inordinary amount of himility that would like to have  warmed the hearts of many who were looking at it.

Avangi · Answer

I thought your points were very interesting, and I enjoyed thinking about them.   - A.

adjectives to denote people, a thing and use as a pronoun

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