Can an adverb modify a noun?

Question

Is it right to say:> the scientifically literate? The reason I ask is that "The literate" is a noun. And the adverb *scientifically* modifies it. But as far as I know, adverbs cannot modifies noun. Is this rule wrong, or is this phrase ungrammatical?

Answer 1

This example is a tricky one! In this context, literate only appears to be a noun, but is in fact an adjective modifying the implied noun: person. Because of this, it is grammatically correct to say “the scientifically literate” as the adverb, scientifically, is modifying the adjective, literate, which in turn is modifying the implied noun, person.