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one (substitute word): a big one

Use​

We often use one instead of repeating a singular countable noun.

  • ‘Which is your boy?’ ‘The one in the blue coat.’
  • I’d like a cake. A big one with lots of cream.
  • ‘Can you lend me a pen?’ ‘Sorry, I haven’t got one.’

a … one​

We drop a if there is no adjective. Compare:

  • We’re looking for a house. We’d like a small one with a garden.
  • We’d like one with a garden. (not … a one with a garden.)

ones​

One has a plural ones.

  • ‘I’d like to try on those shoes.’ ‘Which ones?’ ‘The ones in the window.’
  • Green apples often taste better than red ones.
  • ‘What sort of sweets do you like?’ ‘Ones with chocolate inside.’

Uncountable nouns​

We do not use one(s) for uncountable nouns. Compare:

  • If you haven’t got a fresh chicken I’ll take a frozen one.
  • If you haven’t got fresh juice, I’ll take canned (juice). (not … canned one.)

which (one), this (one), etc​

We can leave out one(s) immediately after which, this, that, another, either, neither and superlatives.

  • ‘Which (one) would you like?’ ‘This (one) looks the nicest.’
  • Let’s have another (one).
  • Either (one) will suit me.
  • I think my dog’s the fastest (one).

But we cannot leave out one(s) if there is an adjective.

  • This small one looks the nicest. (not This small looks …)

We nearly always leave out ones after these and those.

  • I don’t think much of these. (More natural than … these ones.)

Not used after my, etc, some, several, a few, both or a number​

We do not use one(s) immediately after my, your, etc, some, several, (a) few, both or a number.

  • Take your coat and pass me mine. (not … pass me my one.)
  • ‘Are there any grapes?’ ‘Yes, I bought some today.’ (not … I bought some ones today.)
  • I’ll take both. (not … both ones.)
  • She bought six. (not … six ones.)

But one(s) is used if there is an adjective.

  • I’ll wear my old one. (not … my old.)
  • I bought some sweet ones today. (not I bought some sweet today.)
  • ‘Has the cat had her kittens?’ ‘Yes, she’s had four white ones.’ (not … four white.)

that of​

One(s) is not normally used after a noun with possessive ’s. Instead, we can either just drop one(s), or use a structure with that/those of (more formal).

  • A grandparent’s job is easier than a parent’s. (not … than a parent’s one.)
  • A grandparent’s job is easier than that of a parent. (not … than the one of a parent.)
  • Trollope’s novels are more entertaining than those of Dickens. (not … than Dickens’ ones / the ones of Dickens.)

Noun modifiers​

One(s) is not generally used after noun modifiers.

  • Do you need coffee cups or tea cups? (not … or tea ones?)

One(s) always refers back​

We use one(s) to avoid repeating a noun which has been mentioned before. It cannot normally be used in other cases.

  • Let’s go and ask the old man for advice. (not … ask the old one …)