【问】 我已学过某些形容词加上定冠词可以表示某类人，例如，the rich(富人)，the poor(穷人)，the blind(盲人)，the deaf(聋人)，the sick(病人)，the old(老人)，the dead(死去的人)，the handicapped(残疾人)，the wounded(伤员)。但不知它们能否表示个体的人，例如“这个穷人”、“这个病人”等等。

【答】 上面的形容词加上定冠词(the rich，the poor...)，指的是某种类型的群体(a group ofpersons)，而不能指单个的人(a person)。请看下面的例句：

1. The state must care for the poor. (FWF)

国家应该关心穷人。

2. The rich make slaves of the poor. (Wilde)

富人把穷人变成奴隶。

3. The sick and the wounded were sent home. (Palmer)

患病者和受伤者被送回了家。

4. The unemployed are losing hope. (PEU)

失业者越来越失去希望。

5. She doesn't understand the present-day problems of the young. (Chambers)

她不了解年轻人当前的问题。

但是，也有例外的情况。有些形容词加上定冠词既可指一群人，也可指一个人：

1. The accused asked the judge for mercy. (Hill)

被告请求法官宽恕。

2. Several of the accused were found guilty. (LDCE)

有几名被告被认定有罪。

3. I reconstructed the crime and before I had finished speaking，Boyle said，'A tissue oflies!' I asked the accused if he really thought so and he answered，'Think so? I knowit!'(LEG)

我描述了那桩罪行，博伊尔没等我说完就喊道：“连篇的谎言!”我问被告是否真的这么想，他回答说：“这么想?我知道那是谎言!”

4. The deceased was a great friend of mine.

死者是我的一位好朋友。