ADJECTIVES USED AS NOUNS
Adjectives are often used as Nouns.
(1) As Plural Nouns denoting a class of persons; as,
The cautious (= cautious persons) are not always cowards.
The rich (= rich people) do know not how the poor (= poor people) live.
The wicked (= wicked people) flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous (= righteous people) are bold as a lion.
Blessed are the meek.
(2) As Singular Nouns denoting some abstract quality; as,
The future (= futurity) is unknown to us.
He is a lover of the beautiful (= beauty in general)
(3) Some Adjectives actually become Nouns, and are hence used in both numbers:-
(a) Those derived from Proper Nouns; such as Australians, Canadians, Italians, etc.,
(b) Some denoting persons; such as juniors, seniors, mortals, inferiors, superiors, nobles, criminals, savages, elders, minors, etc.
(c) A few denoting things generally; such as secrets, totals, liquids, solids, valuables, etc.
[some adjectives are used as Nouns only in the plural; such as sweets, bitters, valuables, and eatables.]
(4) In certain phrases, such as,
In general; in the future; in short; in secret; before long; at present; for good; at best; through thick and thin; for better or for worse; in black and white; right or wrong; from bad to worse; the long and short.
In the future, I shall charge you for medical advice.
In short, we know nothing.
The negotiations were carried on in secret.
I shall see you before long.
Before long, he will be appointed to a higher post.
At present, he is in pecuniary difficulties.
I do not want any more at present.
He has left India for good.
At best we shall get no more dividend than five paise in rupee.
At best he is a clever versifier, but a poet he is certainly not.
It must be said to his credit that he stood by his friend through thick and thin.
I must have your terms in black and white.
Right or wrong, my country.
I am afraid the young man is going from bad to worse.
The long and short of it is that I distrust you.
Nouns used as Adjectives
The use of Nouns as Adjectives is very common in English
I met a little cottage girl.
He is always playing computer games.
