One And Ones

We can use ‘one’ instead of repeating a singular countable noun when it is clear from the context what we are talking about:

Example: ‘Can I get you a drink?’ ‘It’s okay, I’ve already got one (= a drink).’

Example: ‘Is this your umbrella?’ ‘No, mine’ s the big blue one (= umbrella).’

‘Ones’ can be used instead of repeating a plural noun:

Example: I think his best poems are his early ones (= poems).

Example: People who smoke aren’t the only ones (= people) affected by lung cancer.

We don’t use one/ ones instead of an uncountable noun:

Example: If you need any more paper, I’ll bring you some (not… one/ ones.)

Example: I asked him to get apple juice, but he got orange (not… orange one/ ones.)

Notice that we can’t use ones without additional information (e.g.small ones,ones with blue laces). Instead, we use some. Compare:

Example(1): We need new curtains. Okay, let’s buy green ones this time./… ones with flowers on.

Example(2): We need new curtains. Okay, let’s buy some ( not… let’s buy ones.)

We don’t use one/ ones:after a – instead we leave out a:

Example: Have we got any lemons? I need one for a meal I’m cooking ( not… need a one… )

We don’t use one/ones:after nouns used as adjectives:

Example: I thought I’d put the keys in my trouser pocket, but in fact they were in my jacket pocket (not… my jacket one.)

Instead of using one/one after personal pronouns (my, your, her, etc.) we prefer mine, yours, hers etc. However, a personal pronoun + one/ones is often heard in formal speech:

Example: I’d really like a watch like yours (or ‘… like your one.’ in formal speech)

We can leave out one/ ones: after which:

Example: When we buy medicines, we have no way of knowing which (ones) contain sugar.

We can leave out one/ ones: after superlatives:

Example: Look at that pumpkin! It’s the biggest (one) I’ve seen this year.

Example: If you buy a new car, remember that the most economical (ones) are often the smallest.

After this, that, these and those:

Example: The last test I did was quite easy, but some parts of this (one) are really difficult.

Example: Help yourself to grapes. These (ones) are the sweetest, but those (ones) taste best.

After either, neither, another, each,the first/ second/ last, etc. (the forms without one/ ones and more formal):

Example: Karl pointed to the paintings and said I could take either (one) (or… either of them).

Example: She cleared away the cups, washed each (one) thoroughly, and put them on the shelf.

We don’t leave out one/ ones: after the, the only, the main, and every:

Example: When you cook clams you shouldn’t eat the ones that don’t open.

Example: After I got the glasses home, I found that every one was broken.

After adjectives:

Example: My shoes were so uncomfortable that I had to go out today and buy some new ones.

However, after colour adjectives we can often leave out one/ ones in answers:

Example: ‘Have you decided which jumper to buy?’ ‘Yes, I think I’ll take the blue (one).’