One and one’s

As a personal pronoun (both subject and object), one can be used to refer to ‘people in general’. We often use one in making generalisations, especially in more formal styles. However, if one is used too much, it can make the speaker sound too formal. One takes a third person singular verb:

• One never knows, does one?
• One should not use mobile phones when driving.
• Holidays are supposed to allow one to forget about work.

You and they are also used in a similar way. However, one and you include the speaker in the generalisation:

• [a durian is a kind of fruit]
• Does one eat durian in Malaysia? (includes the speaker, who is there or has an interest in going there; more formal)
• Do you eat durian in Malaysia? (less formal)
• Do they eat durian in Malaysia? (refers to others)

One’s is a possessive determiner:

• One’s health is much more important than having lots of money.