# Adjectives Used As Nouns: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

Adjectives used as nouns: Putting the before an adjective can name a whole group of people, like the poor. Rules, examples and a quick check.

Canonical: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/the-adjective/adjectives-used-as-nouns

Source: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/the-adjective/adjectives-used-as-nouns

# Adjectives used as nouns: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Common mistakes

## Frequently asked questions

## Keep practising

### Key ideas

### What is the rule for adjectives used as nouns?

### What mistakes do students make in adjectives used as nouns?

### What is the main idea to remember in adjectives used as nouns?

### Free English grammar test

### More in The Adjective

Short answer. Putting the before an adjective can name a whole group of people, like the poor. A compound adjective joins two or more words with hyphens to make one adjective, like a two-day trip.

1 . Choose the right form. Our school has a ___ break every morning.

2 . Which sentence is correct?

Putting the before an adjective can name a whole group of people, like the poor. A compound adjective joins two or more words with hyphens to make one adjective, like a two-day trip.

Wrong: a five-hours journey. Right: a five-hour journey. (Compound adjectives with numbers)

the poor = poor people. a two-day trip = a trip of two days.

Your child&#x27;s level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- The plus an adjective . When the adjective follows the and no noun comes after it, it works as a noun. It means a group of people, so it takes a plural verb such as are or need.
- Works as a noun or describes a noun? . If a noun follows the adjective, the adjective just describes it. If no noun follows, it works as a noun.
- Compound adjectives with numbers . Before a noun, join the number and the unit with a hyphen, and keep the unit singular.
- Other compound adjectives . Many compound adjectives have no number: part-time, well-known, heart-warming. The hyphen makes the words one adjective. A ten-year-old boy has two hyphens.
- the poor = poor people. a two-day trip = a trip of two days.
- a five-hours journey → a five-hour journey Compound adjectives with numbers

## Key Links

- [English grammar](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar)
- [The Adjective](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/the-adjective)
- [Start free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [Practise 30 more questions free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [15 Free English grammar test Your child&#x27;s level and 3 topics to fix first.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/test)
- [More in The Adjective All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/the-adjective)