Blog about English
Adjectives used as nouns, fixed expressions and other special constructions.
Some adjectives can function as nouns when referring to groups of people.
Examples include the rich, the poor, the elderly and the unemployed.
The rich often have access to more opportunities.
У богатых часто есть доступ к большему количеству возможностей.
"The rich" refers collectively to rich people.
The poor need better access to healthcare.
Бедным нужен лучший доступ к медицинской помощи.
"The poor" refers collectively to poor people.
The elderly may need additional support.
Пожилым людям может понадобиться дополнительная поддержка.
"The elderly" refers collectively to elderly people.
The unemployed are looking for new jobs.
Безработные ищут новую работу.
"The unemployed" refers collectively to unemployed people.
The homeless need safe places to stay.
Бездомным нужны безопасные места для проживания.
"The homeless" refers collectively to homeless people.
The disabled should have equal access to public services.
Люди с инвалидностью должны иметь равный доступ к государственным услугам.
"The disabled" is a traditional collective expression referring to disabled people.
The young often adapt quickly to new technology.
Молодые люди часто быстро адаптируются к новым технологиям.
"The young" refers collectively to young people.
The elderly are more likely to need accessible housing.
Пожилым людям чаще требуется доступное жилье.
"The elderly" takes plural verb agreement because it refers to a group of people.
Some nationality adjectives refer collectively to the people of a country.
Examples include the French, the Chinese and the Dutch.
The French are famous for their cuisine.
Французы известны своей кухней.
"The French" refers collectively to French people.
The Chinese have a long literary tradition.
У китайцев богатая литературная традиция.
"The Chinese" refers collectively to Chinese people.
The Dutch are known for their cycling culture.
Голландцы известны своей культурой езды на велосипеде.
"The Dutch" refers collectively to Dutch people.
The Japanese have developed many advanced technologies.
Японцы разработали множество передовых технологий.
"The Japanese" refers collectively to Japanese people.
The British are known for their diverse regional accents.
Британцы известны своими разнообразными региональными акцентами.
"The British" refers collectively to British people.
The Swiss are known for their neutrality.
Швейцарцы известны своим нейтралитетом.
"The Swiss" refers collectively to Swiss people.
The Portuguese are proud of their maritime history.
Португальцы гордятся своей морской историей.
"The Portuguese" refers collectively to Portuguese people.
The Irish celebrate many traditional festivals.
Ирландцы отмечают множество традиционных праздников.
"The Irish" refers collectively to Irish people.
Adjectives often follow indefinite pronouns.
Examples include something strange, nothing important and anyone available.
I heard something strange downstairs.
Я услышал что-то странное внизу.
"Strange" follows the indefinite pronoun "something".
There is nothing important in this email.
В этом письме нет ничего важного.
"Important" follows the indefinite pronoun "nothing".
Is there anyone available to help?
Есть ли кто-нибудь, кто может помочь?
"Available" follows the indefinite pronoun "anyone".
She wants something cold to drink.
Она хочет что-нибудь холодное выпить.
"Cold" follows "something" because the adjective modifies the pronoun.
We need someone experienced for the job.
Нам нужен кто-нибудь опытный для этой работы.
"Experienced" follows "someone".
I could not find anything useful.
Я не смог найти ничего полезного.
"Useful" follows the indefinite pronoun "anything".
We need everybody ready by eight.
Нам нужно, чтобы все были готовы к восьми.
"Ready" follows "everybody" in this complement structure.
Did you see anything interesting?
Ты видел что-нибудь интересное?
"Interesting" follows "anything".
Some adjectives follow the noun they modify.
This commonly occurs after indefinite pronouns and in certain fixed or formal expressions such as attorney general and court martial.
We need something useful.
Нам нужно что-нибудь полезное.
"Useful" appears after the indefinite pronoun "something".
The people responsible have been contacted.
С ответственными лицами связались.
"Responsible" follows the noun "people" in a postpositive position.
The person available can help you.
Человек, который доступен, может вам помочь.
"Available" follows the noun "person".
The attorney general issued a statement.
Генеральный прокурор сделал заявление.
"Attorney general" is a fixed expression with a postpositive adjective.
The court martial began on Monday.
Военный суд начал работу в понедельник.
"Court martial" is a fixed formal expression with a postpositive adjective.
The students present voted on the proposal.
Присутствующие студенты проголосовали по предложению.
"Present" follows the noun "students" and means that they were present.
The people involved should attend the meeting.
Люди, имеющие отношение к делу, должны присутствовать на встрече.
"Involved" follows the noun "people".
The only solution possible is to start again.
Единственное возможное решение — начать заново.
"Possible" follows "solution" in a formal postpositive construction.
Many adjective combinations occur as fixed expressions or idioms.
Examples include short and sweet, safe and sound, loud and clear and black and white.
Keep your answer short and sweet.
Сделай свой ответ кратким и по существу.
"Short and sweet" is a fixed expression meaning brief but effective.
The children returned home safe and sound.
Дети вернулись домой целыми и невредимыми.
"Safe and sound" is a fixed expression meaning unharmed.
Please speak loud and clear.
Пожалуйста, говорите громко и четко.
"Loud and clear" is a fixed expression emphasizing clarity.
The room was decorated in black and white.
Комната была оформлена в черно-белых тонах.
"Black and white" is a fixed expression describing the two colors.
The instructions are plain and simple.
Инструкции простые и понятные.
"Plain and simple" is a fixed expression meaning straightforward.
The two sides agreed to keep the discussion open and honest.
Обе стороны договорились вести открытое и честное обсуждение.
"Open and honest" is a common fixed pairing.
He gave us a clear and concise explanation.
Он дал нам четкое и краткое объяснение.
"Clear and concise" is a common collocation in formal communication.
The message was simple and straightforward.
Сообщение было простым и понятным.
"Simple and straightforward" is a common fixed pairing.
Headlines and titles often omit words while retaining adjectives for impact.
This style is common in newspapers, advertising and online media.
New Tax Rules Announced.
Объявлены новые налоговые правила.
Headlines often omit articles and auxiliary verbs while keeping adjectives before nouns.
Major Changes Coming to the City.
В городе грядут серьезные изменения.
"Major" adds impact to the headline while other words are omitted.
Young Star Wins Award.
Молодая звезда получает награду.
The headline uses the adjective "young" directly before the noun.
Historic Agreement Reached.
Достигнуто историческое соглашение.
"Historic" makes the headline more informative and emphatic.
Massive Storm Hits Coast.
Огромный шторм обрушился на побережье.
"Massive" intensifies the description in headline style.
Local Team Claims Surprise Victory.
Местная команда одерживает неожиданную победу.
"Local" and "surprise" modify nouns in a compact headline.
New Study Reveals Unexpected Results.
Новое исследование выявило неожиданные результаты.
Headline style uses adjectives compactly to convey information quickly.
Bold New Strategy Announced.
Объявлена новая смелая стратегия.
"Bold" and "new" appear before the noun in a compressed headline structure.
Some adjectives represent abstract qualities rather than describing individual nouns.
Examples include the unknown, the impossible and the inevitable.
The unknown can be frightening.
Неизвестное может пугать.
"The unknown" refers to unknown things or situations as an abstract concept.
We should prepare for the unexpected.
Нам следует подготовиться к неожиданностям.
"The unexpected" refers to unexpected events or situations.
They were prepared for the worst.
Они были готовы к худшему.
"The worst" refers to the worst possible outcome.
She believes in the impossible.
Она верит в невозможное.
"The impossible" refers to things considered impossible.
We must accept the inevitable.
Мы должны принять неизбежное.
"The inevitable" refers to an unavoidable event or outcome.
The beautiful can be found in ordinary places.
Красивое можно найти в обычных местах.
"The beautiful" treats the adjective as an abstract noun referring to beautiful things.
The good should outweigh the bad.
Хорошее должно перевешивать плохое.
"The good" and "the bad" refer to abstract qualities or things.
The ordinary became extraordinary.
Обычное стало необычным.
"The ordinary" can refer collectively to ordinary things or experiences.
The same adjective may function differently depending on context.
An adjective may modify a noun, function predicatively or behave like a noun in special constructions.
She bought a beautiful dress.
Она купила красивое платье.
"Beautiful" functions attributively before the noun.
The dress is beautiful.
Платье красивое.
"Beautiful" functions predicatively after the linking verb.
The rich often have different financial priorities.
У богатых часто другие финансовые приоритеты.
"Rich" functions as part of the noun-like expression "the rich".
Something strange happened last night.
Прошлой ночью произошло что-то странное.
"Strange" follows "something" and functions as a postpositive adjective.
The people responsible have left.
Ответственные люди ушли.
"Responsible" follows the noun and identifies which people are meant.
The impossible became possible.
Невозможное стало возможным.
"Impossible" functions as a noun-like adjective referring to an abstract idea.
The answer was correct.
Ответ был правильным.
"Correct" functions predicatively after "was".
The correct answer was easy to find.
Правильный ответ было легко найти.
"Correct" functions attributively before the noun.
Formal and literary English sometimes places adjectives after nouns or uses unusual adjective patterns.
These constructions are stylistic and less common in everyday conversation.
He was the only person available.
Он был единственным доступным человеком.
"Available" follows the noun in a formal postpositive construction.
All the money necessary for the project had been raised.
Все необходимые для проекта деньги были собраны.
"Necessary" follows the noun in a formal construction.
The issues discussed were highly controversial.
Обсуждавшиеся вопросы были крайне спорными.
"Discussed" follows the noun in a formal postpositive structure.
The stars visible from the island were unusually bright.
Звезды, видимые с острова, были необычайно яркими.
"Visible" follows the noun in a formal descriptive construction.
The people involved were asked to remain silent.
Участников попросили сохранять молчание.
"Involved" follows the noun in formal English.
The best solution possible was eventually found.
В итоге было найдено наилучшее возможное решение.
"Possible" follows the noun phrase for formal emphasis.
The information available at the time was limited.
Доступная на тот момент информация была ограниченной.
"Available" is postpositive and formal in this construction.
The days long gone still shape our memories.
Давно прошедшие дни все еще формируют наши воспоминания.
"Long gone" follows the noun for a literary effect.
Certain adjective constructions survive mainly in legal, religious or historical language.
Understanding these forms improves comprehension of formal texts.
The president elect will take office next month.
Избранный президент вступит в должность в следующем месяце.
"President elect" is a formal and specialized expression.
The heir apparent was present at the ceremony.
Наследник престола присутствовал на церемонии.
"Heir apparent" is a traditional formal expression.
The attorney general issued the statement.
Генеральный прокурор сделал заявление.
"Attorney general" is a formal title with a postpositive adjective.
The court martial began hearing evidence.
Военный суд начал рассматривать доказательства.
"Court martial" is a specialized legal expression.
The body politic includes the citizens of the state.
Политическое сообщество включает граждан государства.
"Body politic" is a historical and formal expression.
The words uttered in court were carefully recorded.
Слова, произнесенные в суде, были тщательно записаны.
"Uttered" is used postpositively in formal legal style.
The parties concerned were notified of the decision.
Заинтересованные стороны были уведомлены о решении.
"Concerned" follows the noun in a formal administrative expression.
The persons responsible must sign the document.
Ответственные лица должны подписать документ.
"Responsible" follows "persons" in a formal administrative construction.
English contains a number of idiomatic adjective constructions that do not follow ordinary patterns.
These expressions are best learned individually through exposure.
The president elect addressed the crowd.
Избранный президент выступил перед толпой.
"President elect" is an established exceptional adjective construction.
She is the person responsible for the project.
Она человек, ответственный за проект.
"Responsible" follows the noun in this established construction.
We chose the best option available.
Мы выбрали лучший доступный вариант.
"Available" follows the noun in a common formal construction.
They used every means possible to solve the problem.
Они использовали все возможные средства, чтобы решить проблему.
"Possible" follows the noun phrase in a fixed formal pattern.
The information necessary was provided later.
Необходимая информация была предоставлена позже.
"Necessary" is used postpositively in formal style.
The people involved were interviewed separately.
Участники были опрошены отдельно.
"Involved" follows the noun in a conventional formal pattern.
The resources available are limited.
Доступные ресурсы ограничены.
"Available" occurs after the noun in a formal construction.
The only solution possible was to postpone the meeting.
Единственным возможным решением было отложить встречу.
"Possible" is used postpositively in this established pattern.
Recognize when adjectives function differently from their usual descriptive role.
Common mistakes include treating adjective-noun constructions literally, misunderstanding postpositive adjectives and misusing adjectives functioning as nouns.
Something strange happened.
Произошло что-то странное.
Adjectives normally follow indefinite pronouns such as "something".
The people responsible were contacted.
С ответственными лицами связались.
"Responsible" can follow the noun in a postpositive construction.
The rich often have different priorities.
У богатых часто другие приоритеты.
"The rich" functions as a noun-like expression referring to rich people.
The French are proud of their cuisine.
Французы гордятся своей кухней.
"The French" refers collectively to French people.
The only option available is to wait.
Единственный доступный вариант — ждать.
"Available" follows the noun in a formal postpositive construction.
I saw something interesting.
Я увидел что-то интересное.
Do not place the adjective before "something" in ordinary English.
The attorney general issued a statement.
Генеральный прокурор сделал заявление.
"Attorney general" is a fixed expression; do not move the adjective before the noun.
The impossible became possible.
Невозможное стало возможным.
"The impossible" functions as a noun-like adjective expressing an abstract concept.