the elderly sick

[mehdihas]

Hi there,
In the following sentence:
"The state should look after the elderly sick."
Can we say it like this sentence: "The state should look after the sick elderly."
If no, what is the structure of "the elderly sick"?
Thanks.

[riquecohen]

Hi there,
In the following sentence:
"The state should look after the elderly sick."
Can we say it like this sentence: "The state should look after the sick elderly."
If no, what is the structure of "the elderly sick"?
Thanks.

"The sick elderly" is more commonly heard. While "the elderly sick" is not incorrect, it sounds awkward to me.

[charliedeut]

"The sick elderly" is more commonly heard. While "the elderly sick" is not incorrect, it sounds awkward to me.

Could it have something to do with the state just "having to" care for those among the elderly who are sick? To me, probably because I'm not a native (and in Spanish we place the adjective AFTER the noun, not before), "the sick elderly" sounds like all the elderly are sick.

Greetings,

Charliedeut

[riquecohen]

Could it have something to do with the state just "having to" care for those among the elderly who are sick? To me, probably because I'm not a native (and in Spanish we place the adjective AFTER the noun, not before), "the sick elderly" sounds like all the elderly are sick.

Greetings,

Charliedeut

Both "sick" and "elderly" can function as either adjective or noun.