Page 163 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

O n e a n d o n e s ( T h e r e ' s m y c a r - -the g r e e n o n e . )
t h e
ones
One
and
my
one.)
green
(There's
car
We can use one instead of repeating a singular countable noun when it is clear from the context
We can use one instead of repeating a singular countable noun when it is clear from the context
what we are talking about:
what we are talking about:
'Can I get you a drink?' 'It's okay, I've already got one (= a drink).'
• ¢ 'Can I get you a drink?" 'It's okay, I've already got one (= a drink).'
'Is this your umbrella?' 'No, mine's the big blue one (= umbrella).'
• ¢ 'Is this your umbrella?’ 'No, mine's the big blue one (= umbrella).'
Ones can be used instead of repeating a plural noun:
Ones can be used instead of repeating a plural noun:
I think his best poems are his early ones (= poems).
• ¢ I think his best poems are his early ones (= poems).
People who smoke aren't the only ones (= people)
affected by lung cancer.
• ¢ People who smoke aren't the only ones (= people) affected by lung cancer.
use one/ones instead of an uncountable noun:
We don't
We don't use one/ones instead of an uncountable noun:
If you need any more paper, I'll bring you some, (not ...one/ones.)
2 • ¢ Ifyou need any more paper, I'll bring you some. (not ...one/ones.)
I asked him to get apple juice, but he got orange, (not ...orange one/ones.)
• ¢ 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
Notice that we can't use ones without additional information (e.g. small ones, ones with blue
laces). Instead, we use some. Compare:
laces). Instead, we use some. Compare:
We need new curtains. Okay, let's buy green ones this time. / ...ones with flowers on. and
• ¢ We need new curtains. Okay, let's buy green ones this time. / ...ones with flowers on. and
We need new curtains. Okay, let's buy some, (not ...let's buy ones.)
• ¢ We need new curtains. Okay, let's buy some. (not ...let's buy ones.)
We don't use one/ones:
We don't use one/ones:
after a - instead we
leave out a:
• * after a - instead we leave out a:
Have we got any lemons? I need one for a meal I'm cooking, (not ...need a one...)
• ¢ Have we got any lemons? I need one for a meal I'm cooking. (not ...need a one...)
as
used
adjectives:
after nouns
• ¢ after nouns used as adjectives:
I thought I'd put the keys in my trouser pocket, but in fact they were in my jacket pocket.
• ¢ I thought I'd put the keys in my trouser pocket, but in fact they were in my jacket pocket.
(not ...my jacket one.)
(not ...my jacket one.)
after personal pronouns
(my, your, her, etc.)
we prefer mine, yours,
Instead of using one/ones
Instead of using one/ones after personal pronouns (my, your, her, etc.) we prefer mine, yours,
hers, etc. However, a personal pronoun + one/ones is often heard in informal speech:
hers, etc. However, a personal pronoun + one/ones is often heard in informal speech:
I'd really like a watch like yours, (or '...like your one.' in informal speech)
• ¢ I'd really like a watch like yours. (or ‘...like your one.' in informal speech)
We can leave out one/ones:
We can leave out one/ones:
which:
• ¢ after which:
after
When we buy medicines, we have no way of knowing which
(ones) contain sugar.
• ¢ When we buy medicines, we have no way of knowing which (ones) contain sugar.
superlatives:
after
• ¢ after superlatives:
Look at that pumpkin! It's the biggest (one) I've seen this year.
• ¢ Look at that pumpkin! It's the biggest (one) I've seen this year.
If you buy a new car, remember that the most economical (ones) are often the smallest.
• ¢ Ifyou buy a new car, remember that the most economical (ones) are often the smallest.
after this, that, these, and those:
• ¢ after this, that, these, and those:
The last test I did was quite easy, but some parts of this (one) are really difficult.
• ¢ The last test I did was quite easy, but some parts of this (one) are really difficult.
Help yourself to grapes. These (ones) are the sweetest, but those (ones) taste best.
• ¢ Help yourself to grapes. These (ones) are the sweetest, but those (ones) taste best.
(Note that some people think 'those ones' is incorrect, particularly in formal English.)
(Note that some people think 'those ones' is incorrect, particularly in formal English.)
after either, neither, another, each, the first/second/last, etc. (the forms without one/ones are
• ¢ after either, neither, another, each, the first/second/last, etc. (the forms without one/ones are
more formal): (one) thoroughly, and put them on the shelf.
more formal):
g A/an adone adjectives we can often leave out one/ones in answers: i
Karl pointed to the paintings and said I could take either (one), (or ...either of them.)
• ¢ Karl pointed to the paintings and said I could take either (one). (or ...either of them.)
She cleared away the cups, washed each
• ¢ She cleared away the cups, washed each (one) thoroughly, and put them on the shelf.
leave out one/ones:
We don't leave out one/ones:
We don't
after the, the only, the main, and every:
• ¢ after the, the only, the main, and every:
When you cook clams you shouldn't eat the ones that don't open.
• ¢ When you cook clams you shouldn't eat the ones that don't open.
After I got the glasses home, I found that every one was broken.
• ¢ After I got the glasses home, I found that every one was broken.
adjectives:
• ¢
after
after adjectives:
My shoes were so uncomfortable that I had to go out today and buy some new ones.
• « My shoes were so uncomfortable that I had to go out today and buy some new ones.
after colour
However, after colour adjectives we can often leave out one/ones in answers:
However,
'Have you decided which jumper to buy?' 'Yes, I think I'll take the blue (one).'
• ¢ 'Have you decided which jumper to buy?! 'Yes, I think I'll take the blue (one).'
A/an and one => IffHETH
Ra
=>
ae