One and ones: the small one, please
Avoiding noun repetition with one/ones (Which bag? The red one); which-questions; this one / that one
I can replace repeated nouns with one/ones and choose between things with which one.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Which scarf goes with this coat? - The woollen one, definitely.
Which scarf goes with this coat? - The woollen one, definitely.
These strawberries look sad; let's take the ones from the local stall.
These strawberries look sad; let's take the ones from the local stall.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
one = the noun you just said:
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| adjective + one | Which bag? - The red one. |
| adjective + ones | I like the blue ones. |
| this/that + one | Can I try this one? |
| Which one(s)? | Which one do you mean? |
one replaces countable nouns only: uncountables repeat or drop the noun: Which rice? - The brown (rice), not *the brown one. After an adjective the prop-word is obligatory: *I'll take the red.
- Prop-word dropped: *I'll take the red → the red one
- one with uncountables: *the brown one (rice) → the brown rice
Common Error Patterns
Adjective left without prop-word
adjective + one/ones
one for uncountables
one replaces countables only
Which scarf goes with this coat? - The woollen one, definitely.
Which scarf goes with this coat? - The woollen one, definitely.
which + adjective + one: the shopping pattern.
These strawberries look sad; let's take the ones from the local stall.
These strawberries look sad; let's take the ones from the local stall.
the ones + prepositional phrase.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises