Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/Adjectives-used-as-nouns"
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In French it is almost always possible to convert an adjective into a noun simply by placing an article in front of it: | In French it is almost always possible to convert an adjective into a noun simply by placing an article in front of it: | ||
==Convert an adjective into a noun== | |||
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|The important thing is to leave early | |The important thing is to leave early | ||
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As can be seen, because English does not permit the creation of nouns with such freedom, translations either have to use vague terms like 'ones', 'thing(s)' or it is necessary to rephrase the sentence. | As can be seen, because English does not permit the creation of nouns with such freedom, translations either have to use vague terms like 'ones', 'thing(s)' or it is necessary to rephrase the sentence. | ||
==Compare the post-verbal use of adjectives as nouns with the post-verbal use of numbers and quantifiers as nouns== | |||
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With numbers and quantifiers en must be inserted in front of the verb. Adjectives of nationality and nouns of nationality are usually identical in form when used as adjectives or nouns EXCEPT that the nouns are written with capital letters: | With numbers and quantifiers en must be inserted in front of the verb. | ||
Adjectives of nationality and nouns of nationality are usually identical in form when used as adjectives or nouns EXCEPT that the nouns are written with capital letters: | |||
Revision as of 22:47, 19 October 2021
Adjectives used as nouns
In French it is almost always possible to convert an adjective into a noun simply by placing an article in front of it:
Convert an adjective into a noun
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je ne veux que les mûrs | I only want the ripe ones |
| Nous prendrons les grands | We'll take the big ones |
| Les petits sont déjà partis | The small ones have already gone |
| Les gentils gagnent à la fin | The goodies win in the end |
| Les méchants sont punis | The baddies are punished |
| J'adore le rustique | I love rural styles |
| Elle aurait préféré du moderne | She would have preferred something up-to-date |
| Le plus énervant, c'est sa voix | It's her voice that is the most annoying thing |
| Le rouge te va bien | Red suits you |
| L'important c'est de partir tôt | The important thing is to leave early |
As can be seen, because English does not permit the creation of nouns with such freedom, translations either have to use vague terms like 'ones', 'thing(s)' or it is necessary to rephrase the sentence.
Compare the post-verbal use of adjectives as nouns with the post-verbal use of numbers and quantifiers as nouns
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Nous prendrons les grands | We'll take the big ones |
| Nous en prendrons deux | We'll take two |
| Nous avons acheté des ovales | We bought some oval ones |
| Nous en avons acheté plusieurs | We bought several |
With numbers and quantifiers en must be inserted in front of the verb.
Adjectives of nationality and nouns of nationality are usually identical in form when used as adjectives or nouns EXCEPT that the nouns are written with capital letters:
- Elle est américaine
She is American
- Tout Français qui se respecte aime le fromage
Every true French person loves cheese
- Elle est de nationalité française
She is of Trench nationality
- C'est une Américaine
She is an American