Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Definite article plus adjective to mean other than the people possible?
Hi. Please help.
1. Why do we need to use the plural for the words like "depths" when the singular "depth" would seem also correct?
(example phrase fragments)
to the depths of hell
to the depths of the sea
2. I think we normally put the definite article "the" in front of an adjective to mean people who have that quality. For example, the phrase "the brave" mean the brave people, but I think we use the construction "the + adjective" to mean something other than the people who possess that quality. Could we use in that way? Thank you in advance.
(example phrase fragments)
dealing with the supernatural
bring the supernatural to reality
1. Why do we need to use the plural for the words like "depths" when the singular "depth" would seem also correct?
(example phrase fragments)
to the depths of hell
to the depths of the sea
2. I think we normally put the definite article "the" in front of an adjective to mean people who have that quality. For example, the phrase "the brave" mean the brave people, but I think we use the construction "the + adjective" to mean something other than the people who possess that quality. Could we use in that way? Thank you in advance.
(example phrase fragments)
dealing with the supernatural
bring the supernatural to reality
Top answer
1. It may be impossible to know excatly why something is said. Perhaps people think the "depths of the sea" are so vast and unfathomable that the plural has come to be used.
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1. It may be impossible to know excatly why something is said. Perhaps people think the "depths of the sea" are so vast and unfathomable that the plural has come to be used. Skiesis another plural often used even though there is only one sky.
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