430. An adjective used as a noun may also be used as the object of a verb, thus:
- I saw the rich and the poor struggling together.
- The struggle for existence crushes the weak.
- Seek the good and the true.
In these sentences the adjectives rich, poor, weak, good and true, are used as nouns and are the objects of the verbs saw, crushes and seek.
VERBS OF STATE OR CONDITION
We have found that with the incomplete verbs of state or condition, or copulative verbs, the predicate complement may be either a noun, as, The man is a hero; or an adjective, as, The man is class-conscious; or a phrase, as, The man is in earnest.
- The predicate complement may also be:
431. A pronoun; as,
- Who is she?
- That was he.
- This is I.
In these sentences the subjects of the verbs are she, that and this, and the pronouns who, he and I are used as predicate complements.
432. Infinitives may also be used as the predicate complement, thus: