Why can I say:

Bridget   Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:30 am GMT
Why can I say:

The woollens wash.
The woollens washed easily,

but not:

The woolens washed.
03RE   Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:53 am GMT
I'm not sure you can say "the woollens wash" without an adverb.
M56   Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:24 am GMT
"The/these/those wollens wash" mean they are washable.
M56   Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:25 am GMT
"The/these/those woollens wash" means they are washable.

(Corrected typos)