Pronouns it, one, ones, that, those

1. Substitute for a singular noun that refers to a general reference

Substitute for a singular noun that refers to a general reference, usually used one. For example:

Two heads are better than one. Two heads are better than one.

I lost my old camera; this is a new one.

Did you get a ticket?—Yes, I managed to get one. Did you get a ticket?—Yes, I managed to get one.

Note: If there is no adjective modification before one, there cannot be an indefinite article before it. Compare:

I’m looking for a flat. I’d like a small one with a garden.

I’m looking for a flat. I’d like one with a garden. (You cannot say: ... a one with a garden.)

The indefinite article cannot be used before one without an adjective modification, but another can be used. Such as:

This pen doesn’t work. I must buy another one. This pen is broken, I have to buy another one.

Also, note the difference between it and table-specific it. Such as:

Can you lend me a pen?—Sorry. I haven’t got one. Can you lend me a pen?—Sorry, I haven’t got one.

Can I borrow your pen?—Sorry, I’m using it.

2. Substitute for singular nouns that specifically refer to them

To substitute for singular nouns that specifically refer to, you can use it, that, the one. The difference between the three is:

1. When replacing singular countable nouns, all three can be used; when replacing uncountable nouns, you cannot use the one, but use it or that. The difference between it and that at this time is: when referring to the same thing, use it; when referring to similar things, use that or the one. Such as:

The weather here is too cold. I don’t like it. The weather here is too cold, I don’t like the weather here. (it here refers to the weather mentioned earlier)

The weather of Beijing is colder than that of Guangzhou. The weather in Beijing is colder than that of Guangzhou. (that the weather here refers to the same kind of weather as mentioned earlier)

My uncle bought me a dictionary and I like it very much. My uncle bought me a dictionary and I like it very much. it. (it here refers to the dictionary that the uncle mentioned earlier bought me)

Your dictionary is more useful than the one my uncle gave me. More useful. (The one here means that it is of the same type as the dictionary mentioned above)

2. When replacing things, all three can be used; when replacing people, only the one can be used. Such as:

Who is her husband?—The one by the window. ——The one by the window.

Note: Use it when replacing a baby of unknown gender.

3. When there is a prepositional attributive modification, you can only use the one. Such as:

Which do you want?—The red one. Which do you want?—The red one.

She would rather have the small one than the large one. She would rather have the small one than the large one.

4. When there is a post-positioned attributive modification, the one is usually used. For example:

My room is better than the one next door. My room is better than the one next door.

He said he would have the one near him. He said he would have the one near him.

Is that the one that was published recently?

Here are six rings. Pick out the one you like best. Here are six rings. , choose your favorite one.

However, if the postpositional attributive is a prepositional phrase caused by of, then that is usually used. Such as:

The population of China is much larger than that of Japan. The population of China is much larger than that of Japan.

A grandparent’s job is easier than that of a parent.

3. Substitute for plural nouns that generally refer to

Substitute for plural nouns that generally refer to, usually ones. Such as:

Hard beds are healthier than soft ones. Hard beds are healthier than soft ones.

Green apples often taste better than red ones. Green apples often taste better than red ones.

We can lend you plastic chairs or metal ones. We can lend you plastic chairs or metal ones.

These chairs have the great advantage of being much cheaper than conventional ones.

4. Replacement of specific plural nouns

Replacement of specific plural nouns, usually the ones. Such as:

I’d like to try on those shoes. The ones at the front of the window. The pair in the front in the window.

Are they the ones who moved here recently?

Don't buy the expensive apples; get the cheaper ones. If the apple is expensive, buy the cheaper one.

Note: In spoken language, those can also be used to replace specific plural nouns, especially when followed by a prepositional phrase introduced by of or an attributive clause introduced by who. Such as:

Waves of red light are about twice as long as those of blue light. The wavelength of red light is about twice the wavelength of blue light.

Those of you who wish to go on the trip may sign up here.

His ideas are little different from those of his friends.

Students who do well in examinations are those [the ones] who ask questions in class. Students who do well in examinations are those who love to ask questions in class.

5. Some important additional remarks

1. When the substitute word one / one is immediately followed by the superlative adjective, the ordinal number, and this, that, these, those, which, When followed by determiners such as either, neither, another, etc., they can usually be omitted.

Such as:

I think my dog’s the fastest (one). I think my dog ??is the fastest (one).

Either (one) will suit me. Either (one) will suit me.

Let’s have another (one). Let’s have another one.

She looked at each (one) carefully before she chose.

Which (one) would you like?—That (one) looks the nicest. Which (one) would you like?—That (one) looks the nicest.

2. The plural form of ones is generally not directly modified by noun possessives, possessive pronouns, numerals, and words such as some, any, both, several, dozen, own, etc. Such as:

Have you got any drawing-pins? Can I borrow some please? Do you have drawing-pins? Can I borrow some? (Cannot say:... some ones...)

Do you have any new diaries?—We don't have any at the moment. Do you have any new diaries?—We don't have any at the moment. (Cannot say:... any ones...)

Do question 1 or question 2, but not both. Choose one of question 1 and question 2, but do not do both. (Cannot say: ... both ones.)

He has three dictionaries and I have only two. He has three dictionaries, but I have only two. (You cannot say:... two ones.)

Note: If there is a descriptive adjective before ones, you can use the above words. For example:

Incorrect: her ones / some ones / any ones / five ones / your own ones

Correct: her red ones / some new ones / any old ones / five bad ones / your own nice ones

In American English, ones cannot follow these and those. But it is possible (and not common) to use it this way in British English.

3. When a noun is modified by another noun, it is usually not appropriate to use one (s) instead. Such as:

Do you need coffee cups or tea cups? Do you need coffee cups or tea cups? (You cannot say: ... or tea ones? )

But if a noun is subject to The noun modification of the table material can be replaced by one(s). For example:

We can lend you plastic chairs or metal ones. We can lend you plastic chairs or metal ones.