Foundation grammar · Unit 75 · A2

one/ones

Determiners and pronouns

Use one instead of repeating a singular noun, and ones instead of repeating a plural noun: a clean one, the blue ones, the one by the door.

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A one = a/an ...

Once the noun has been said, there is no need to say it again. one stands in for a/an + noun (a torch, an envelope and so on).

  • I need an envelope. Have you got one? (one = an envelope)
  • A: Is there a cashpoint near here? B: Yes, there's one outside the chemist. (one = a cashpoint)
  • "Would you like a biscuit?" "No, thanks. I've just had one."

B one and ones

Use one for a singular noun and ones for a plural noun.

one (singular) ones (plural)
this one / that one these / those (usually without ones)
the one ... the ones ...
the ... one (the red one) the ... ones (the red ones)
a/an ... one (a clean one) some ... ones (some clean ones)

With these and those we do not usually add ones. "These or those?" does the job without help.

  • Which bus goes to the hospital? This one or that one?
  • Which pears do you want? These or those?
  • A: Which flat is yours? B: The one above the chippy.
  • A: Which gloves are yours? B: The ones on the radiator.
  • I don't like the grey jumper, but I like the green one.
  • Those trainers are too small. Try the other ones.
  • This plate is cracked. Can I have a new one?
  • These towels are wet. Have you got any dry ones?
  • My boots are falling apart. I need some new ones.

Exercises

75.1 A asks B some questions. Use the information in brackets to write B's answers. Use one, not a/an ..., in the answers.

  1. (B hasn't got a ruler.) A: Can you lend me a ruler? B: I'm sorry, I haven't got one.

    A: Can you lend me a ruler? B: I'm sorry, I haven't got one.

  2. (B doesn't want a dog.) A: Would you like to have a dog? B: No, I don't .

  3. (B is going to buy a laptop.) A: Have you got a laptop? B: No, but .

  4. (B hasn't got a torch.) A: Can you lend me a torch? B: I'm sorry, but .

  5. (B has just had a sandwich.) A: Would you like a sandwich? B: No, thank you. .

  6. (There's a post office on Bridge Street.) A: Is there a post office near here? B: Yes, .

75.2 Complete the sentences. Use a/an ... one with one of the words in the box.

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  1. This knife is blunt. Can I have a sharp one?

    This knife is blunt. Can I have a sharp one?

  2. My phone keeps switching itself off. I'm going to get .

  3. That isn't a very good drawing, but this is .

  4. I wanted this week's magazine. This is .

  5. This towel is soaking wet. I need .

  6. We watch the same film every Christmas. Let's watch .

75.3 Complete the conversations. B asks which one or which ones. A answers with the information in brackets, using one or ones.

  1. (The café is next to the bank.) A: We had lunch in a café. B: Which one? A: The one next to the bank.

    A: We had lunch in a café. B: Which one? A: The one next to the bank.

  2. (The trainers are white.) A: Those trainers are nice. B: ? A: .

  3. (The flat has got a balcony.) A: That's a lovely flat. B: ? A: .

  4. (The jacket is blue.) A: I like that jacket. B: ? A: .

  5. (The photos are by the window.) A: I like those photos. B: ? A: .

  6. (The magazines are on the bottom shelf.) A: Are those your magazines? B: ? A: .

  7. (The boy is short with curly hair.) A: Do you know that boy? B: ? A: .

  8. (The tulips are red.) A: Those tulips are lovely. B: ? A: .

  9. (The woman has got a red hat and a big bag.) A: Who's that woman? B: ? A: .

  10. (I took the photos at the wedding last month.) A: Have you seen my photos? B: ? A: .

See also