the rich? rich?

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,


I happened to see a sentence like this.

The gap between rich and poor is widening.

Is it okay to say "between rich and poor"?
I thought "the" is necessary before rich, like "between the rich and (the)poor".

Thank you

OP

[bhaisahab]

Dear all,


I happened to see a sentence like this.

The gap between rich and poor is widening.

Is it okay to say "between rich and poor"?
I thought "the" is necessary before rich, like "between the rich and (the)poor".

Thank you

OP

Yes, it's fine, it assumes 'people' 'The gap between rich and poor (people) is widening'.

[PROESL]

Yes, it's fine, it assumes 'people' 'The gap between rich and poor (people) is widening'.

Would you say, as well, that these are examples of adjectives used as nouns? I think I would.