1. Introduction to Substituting Nouns with “One” and “Ones”
In English, to avoid redundancy we often replace a noun that has already been mentioned with “one” (for singular countable nouns) or “ones” (for plural countable nouns). This substitution helps prevent repetition and makes sentences clear and fluid.
For example: “I have a red pen and a blue pen. The red one is my favorite.”
- 1. I like my old phone, but I want a new one. 📱
- 2. The black shirt is too tight; the blue one fits perfectly. 👕
- 3. Our car is fast; your car is slow, but that one is interesting. 🚗
- 4. She brought a chocolate cake, and he brought a vanilla one. 🍰
- 5. I lost one glove, but I found the other one. 🧤
- 6. He prefers one option over the other one. 🔄
- 7. My sister has one book; her friend has another one. 📚
- 8. I want this toy, not that one. 🧸
- 9. This bicycle is mine; that one is yours. 🚲
- 10. I choose the red model, and he chooses the blue one. 🔴🔵
2. Using “One” for Singular Countable Nouns
When you want to avoid repeating a singular countable noun, use “one” as its substitute. This is especially useful when the noun has already been mentioned or is obvious from the context.
- 1. She prefers the green dress over the yellow one. 👗
- 2. I lost my phone, so I’m buying a new one. 📱
- 3. This pen is smooth; that one writes too roughly. ✒️
- 4. His coffee is hot, but hers is the cold one. ☕
- 5. I like that painting more than this one. 🎨
- 6. The small car is efficient, but the large one is too bulky. 🚙
- 7. Your idea is interesting, and my one is different. 💡
- 8. He offered me a black tie; I rejected that one for a red tie. 👔
- 9. I always choose the long route; he takes the shorter one. 🛣️
- 10. Her recipe is simple, unlike the complex one I tried. 🍲
3. Using “Ones” for Plural Countable Nouns
For plural countable nouns, use “ones” to replace the noun previously mentioned. This allows you to avoid unnecessary repetition, especially when comparing or listing items.
- 1. These apples are sour; let’s pick the sweeter ones. 🍎
- 2. Among all the cars, the red ones are the fastest. 🚗
- 3. I like the blue chairs more than these ones. 💺
- 4. The small pens are cheaper than the larger ones. 🖊️
- 5. Our students are hardworking; their classmates are the smart ones. 👩🎓
- 6. I prefer the soft toys over the noisy ones. 🧸
- 7. These cookies are delicious; those ones are too sweet. 🍪
- 8. He read several articles, but the long ones bored him. 📰
- 9. The green shirts are in style, unlike the plain ones. 👕
- 10. I have a few challenges, but the harder ones are the most rewarding. 💪
4. Structures Incorporating “One” and “Ones”
A. After Demonstratives
Demonstratives (this, that, these, those) are often used with “one” or “ones” to clearly distinguish between items without repeating the full noun.
- 1. This book is mine; that one is yours. 📖
- 2. These cookies are fresh; those ones are stale. 🍪
- 3. This car is new, while that one is used. 🚗
- 4. These shoes are comfortable, but those ones hurt my feet. 👟
- 5. This laptop is expensive; that one is affordable. 💻
- 6. These chairs are modern, whereas those ones are traditional. 🪑
- 7. This hat looks good, but that one is too flashy. 🎩
- 8. These bags are spacious; those ones are too small. 🎒
- 9. This phone is fast; that one is outdated. 📱
- 10. These paintings are vibrant; those ones are dull. 🖼️
B. After Adjectives
When adjectives are used to describe a noun, “one” or “ones” can substitute for the noun while still conveying the quality indicated by the adjective.
- 1. I need a small suitcase, not a large one. 🧳
- 2. The red dress is pretty, but the blue one is elegant. 👗
- 3. He wants a fast car, not a slow one. 🚗
- 4. Choose a comfy chair, not a hard one. 🪑
- 5. I prefer a light meal, not a heavy one. 🍽️
- 6. She likes a simple design, not a complex one. 🎨
- 7. We bought a new computer, not an old one. 💻
- 8. I need a quiet room, not a noisy one. 🚪
- 9. Their offer was generous, but ours was modest. 💰
- 10. He chose a bright color, not a dull one. 🎨
C. After “Which” in Questions
“Which” is used to form questions about preference or selection. When asking about one item or more from a group, substitute the repeated noun with “one” (singular) or “ones” (plural).
- 1. Which one do you prefer? 🤔
- 2. Which ones are on sale? 💸
- 3. Which one looks better? 👀
- 4. Which ones are yours? 🙋
- 5. Which one won the prize? 🏆
- 6. Which ones did you choose? 📝
- 7. Which one is missing? 🔍
- 8. Which ones are ready? ⏱️
- 9. Which one caught your eye? 👁️
- 10. Which ones should we pick? ✅
5. Restrictions and Common Mistakes
Although “one” and “ones” are very useful, there are situations where they should not be used. Here are common pitfalls to avoid.
A. Uncountable Nouns
“One” and “ones” cannot replace uncountable nouns because these nouns do not have a singular/plural form in the same way as countable nouns. Instead, words like “some” or “a lot of” are used.
- 1. Incorrect: I need an information. ❌
- 2. Correct: I need some information. ✅
- 3. Incorrect: Can you give me one advice? ❌
- 4. Correct: Can you give me some advice? ✅
- 5. Incorrect: I bought a furniture piece. ❌
- 6. Correct: I bought some furniture. ✅
- 7. Incorrect: I’d like a water. ❌
- 8. Correct: I’d like some water. ✅
- 9. Incorrect: There is one rice in the bowl. ❌
- 10. Correct: There is some rice in the bowl. ✅
B. Noun Modifiers
Do not use “one” or “ones” when a noun is modified by additional words. The full noun phrase must be repeated.
- 1. Incorrect: Do you want the coffee cup or the tea one? ❌
- 2. Correct: Do you want the coffee cup or the tea cup? ✅
- 3. Incorrect: I prefer the old car over the new one with leather seats. ❌
- 4. Correct: I prefer the old car over the new car with leather seats. ✅
- 5. Incorrect: She likes the blue dress more than the red one with polka dots. ❌
- 6. Correct: She likes the blue dress more than the red dress with polka dots. ✅
- 7. Incorrect: Choose the big box or the small one with a handle. ❌
- 8. Correct: Choose the big box or the small box with a handle. ✅
- 9. Incorrect: I admire the elegant architecture and the modern one downtown. ❌
- 10. Correct: I admire the elegant architecture and the modern architecture downtown. ✅
C. Possessive Forms
When using possessive forms, “one” or “ones” can be used, but often it is more natural to simply use the possessive noun with the full noun repeated. Although constructions like “John’s ones” are grammatically possible, they are less common.
- 1. Less natural: These are my books, and those are John’s ones. ❌
- 2. More natural: These are my books, and those are John’s. ✅
- 3. Less natural: I like my car more than Mark’s one. ❌
- 4. More natural: I like my car more than Mark’s. ✅
- 5. Less natural: That is her pen, and this is her sister’s one. ❌
- 6. More natural: That is her pen, and this is her sister’s. ✅
- 7. Less natural: The red bag is mine, and the blue bag is Sarah’s ones. ❌
- 8. More natural: The red bag is mine, and the blue bag is Sarah’s. ✅
- 9. Less natural: I chose the simple design and not the complex ones of Anna’s. ❌
- 10. More natural: I chose the simple design and not Anna’s complex design. ✅
