Re: self-aggrandizing ignorant
From: Marshall <marshall.spight_at_gmail.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 19:42:08 -0700
Message-ID: <1147920128.729352.191540_at_i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 19:42:08 -0700
Message-ID: <1147920128.729352.191540_at_i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>
Bob Badour wrote:
>
> Like the subject of the following sentence, the noun is silent.
Rather than go with an assumed, missing noun, I'd just say that
an adjective can function as a noun in the right context. The fact
that we often pluralize adjectives the way we do nouns when doing
so backs that up.
"Do you like those colored candies? The reds are my favorite."
Consider also that we use an article in front of an adjective used
this way.
"You know Sydney Greenstreet? He often used to play the heavy."
I think there's probably something witty a la Safire's "You can
verb anything" floating around here somewhere.
Marshall
PS. Maltese Falcon rules.