One and ones
How to avoid saying the same noun twice: the red one, the new ones, which one?
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When it is clear which noun we mean, we don't repeat it. We use one instead of a singular countable noun and ones instead of a plural noun: I don't like the red shirt. I prefer the blue one.
One for one thing, ones for more
Instead of | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
a singular noun | one | This cup is dirty. Can I have a clean one? |
a plural noun | ones | These shoes are too small. I need bigger ones. |
- My bag is the black one.
- Do you like these apples or the green ones?
- Our old flat was small, but the new one is lovely.
After an adjective: the big one
An adjective usually can't stand alone in place of a countable noun. Put one or ones after it.
- "Which jacket do you want?" "The grey one."
- I've got two sisters. The older one lives in Spain.
- These glasses are expensive. Have you got any cheaper ones?
- Incorrect: This box is too heavy. Can you give me the small?
- Correct: This box is too heavy. Can you give me the small one?Small is an adjective. It needs one after it.
- Incorrect: My computer is too slow. I need a fast.
- Correct: My computer is too slow. I need a fast one.
Which one? Which ones?
Which one and which ones ask someone to choose. This one and that one are very common in shops and cafés.
- "Can you pass me the book?" "Which one?" "The red one, on the chair."
- Which ones are yours?
- I'll have this one, please.
After these and those we often leave out ones: I'd like those, please.
The one with, the ones on
The one and the ones can have a phrase after them that says which.
- Our house is the one with the blue door.
- My keys are the ones on the table.
- "Which is your colleague?" "The one in the grey suit."
Another one, the other one
Another one means "one more" or "a different one". The other one is the second of two.
- This glass is dirty. Can I have another one?
- I've got two bikes. One is new, and the other one is very old.
- These gloves are fine, but the other ones were warmer.
A new one, or it?
One means "another thing of the same kind". It and them mean "the same thing that we talked about".
- My laptop is very slow. I need a new one.
(Another laptop.)
- I can't find my laptop. Have you seen it?
(The same laptop.)
- Incorrect: My umbrella is broken. I want to buy a new.
- Correct: My umbrella is broken. I want to buy a new one.
- Incorrect: I've lost my keys. Have you seen ones?
- Correct: I've lost my keys. Have you seen them?We mean the same keys, so we use them.
Not with uncountable nouns
Use one and ones only for countable nouns. With an uncountable noun (water, bread, milk, information), repeat the noun or leave it out.
- I don't drink tap water. I prefer bottled water.
- "White bread or brown?" "Brown, please."
- Incorrect: I don't want sparkling water. Have you got still one?
- Correct: I don't want sparkling water. Have you got still water?Water is uncountable, so we don't use one.