One and Ones: Choosing Without Repeating

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A235–45 minutes on your own60 minutes with a tutor

One and Ones: Choosing Without Repeating

By the end: I can use one and ones instead of repeating a countable noun.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Start here

Imagine choosing between two bags in a shop.

Read each explanation, say your answer aloud, then open the model and try again. You may write your answer if you prefer. Use invented personal details whenever you like.

Useful preparation: Singular/plural countable nouns, demonstratives and simple adjectives; basic comparatives are optional support.

Choose a play button when you are ready.

Learn 1

One replaces one countable thing

Use one when a singular countable noun is already clear: Which bag? The blue one. One means bag here. Keep the adjective before one. This one and that one can also identify a single object.

I like the blue one.

That one is mine.

Choose from the two bags in the recording

The red bagThe red one is large.
The blue bagThe blue one is small.

“I want the blue one.” Here, one replaces bag. The colour identifies the bag the speaker wants.

A large red bag on the left and a smaller blue bag on the right.
Learn 2
Lesson scene for I like the blue one. People and essential props on white.
I like the blue one.One replaces the singular countable noun bag.

Ones replaces plural things

Use ones instead of a plural countable noun: Which shoes? The black ones. Match is or are to the meaning: The blue one is small. The blue ones are small.

I like the black ones.

The small ones are in this box.

With plural shoes, use ones

The shoes selectedThe black ones.

Ones replaces shoes.

The shoes not selectedNot the brown ones.

The colour distinguishes the two pairs.

Each picture shows a pair. The noun shoes is plural, so use ones.

Replace the noun and keep the size and place

Big boxesThe big boxes are on the floor.

Boxes introduces the plural noun.

Small boxesThe small ones are on the table.

Ones refers to boxes; are agrees with the plural.

The pictures illustrate the size and location contrast. The recording does not specify an exact number of boxes.
Learn 3

Ask which one or which ones

Ask Which one? for a single object and Which ones? for plural objects. Use one/ones only when a countable noun is clear. It does not replace uncountable milk itself; name a bottle or carton if that is the thing you mean.

Which one do you want?

Which ones are yours?

Guided practice

Try each answer first. Check it, or open a model and its explanation.

Try the form

Compare an answer and explanation

I like the red one.

One replaces one bag.

Compare an answer and explanation

I like the black ones.

Ones replaces plural shoes.

Compare an answer and explanation

is

One is singular.

Compare an answer and explanation

are

Ones is plural.

Build or change a sentence

Compare an answer and explanation

Which one do you want?

Keep the question pattern and replace bag.

Compare an answer and explanation

Which ones are yours?

Replace books with ones.

Compare an answer and explanation

I like the black ones.

Ones replaces the noun; do not repeat it.

Compare an answer and explanation

That one is mine.

Use one for a single bag.

Listen to a short conversation

Listen. Then open the words and read aloud. Try one part with a partner, or say both parts on your own.

Open the conversation transcript

A: Which bag do you want?

B: The blue one, please.

A: And which shoes do you like?

B: The black ones.

Listening checks

Read the question, play its recording, then choose an answer. You can open the transcript whenever you need it.

Listening 1

1. Which bag does the speaker want?
Read the transcript

There are two bags. The red one is large. The blue one is small. I want the blue one.

Listening 2

2. Which shoes belong to the speaker?
Read the transcript

Which shoes are yours? The black ones, not the brown ones.

Listening 3

3. What are on the table?
Read the transcript

The big boxes are on the floor. The small ones are on the table.

Lesson scene for I like the black ones. People and essential props on white.
I like the black ones.Ones replaces the plural countable noun shoes.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. Aim for 7 out of 8, then correct anything you missed.

1. Which bag? The blue ___.
2. Which shoes? The black ___.
3. The red one ___ mine.
4. The small ones ___ here.
5. Choose without repeating the noun bags.
6. Ask about one bag.
7. Which noun can ones replace in The red ones are mine?
8. One book is near you. Identify it with this and one.
Answer key with explanations

  1. one One replaces singular bag.

  2. ones Ones replaces plural shoes.

  3. is One is singular.

  4. are Ones is plural.

  5. I like the blue ones. Ones stands for the plural bags.

  6. Which one do you want? One refers to a singular choice.

  7. books Books is a plural countable noun.

  8. This one is mine. This and one are singular.

This quiz checks this lesson, not your overall English level.

Make it yours

Speak first, compare a model, then say a new version. These tasks are ungraded.

Speaking task 1

Choose between two invented bags. Describe both, then choose without repeating bag.

Compare a possible response

The red one is large. The blue one is small. I’d like the blue one.

Success check: Make the noun clear before replacing it.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 2

Choose between two groups of objects, such as shoes or books.

Compare a possible response

I like the black ones. I don’t like the brown ones.

Success check: Use ones for plural things.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 3

Role-play a shop conversation. Ask which bag and which shoes a customer wants. On your own, say both roles.

Compare a possible response

Which one do you want? The blue one, please. Which ones do you like? The black ones.

Success check: Match one/ones and is/are to the number.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Recap

Listen and repeat. I like the blue one. I like the black ones. Which one do you want?

I can use one and ones instead of repeating a countable noun.

  • I can use the main pattern.
  • I can make one sentence of my own.
  • I know one thing to practise again.

Keep building your grammar

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