The + adjective
The + adjective is used to refer to some groups of people in society.
Examples: The old, the rich, the sick, the poor, the homeless, the addicted…
The old for example means old people in general. It can’t refer to just one person or to a
small group.
The + adjective takes a plural verb.
The adjective can be modified by an adverb.
Examples: the very old.
Some adjectives normally take an adverb.
Examples: the mentally ill, the more/less fortunate.
Some adjectives are used after “the” to refer to things which have an abstract quality.
Example: He reads a lot of books on the supernatural.
