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'One' is an impersonal pronoun that refers to a specific person or thing. In this part, we will go through its uses and grammatical rules in English grammar.
One is known as an impersonal pronoun, but it has another function as well. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.
Functions of 'One'
- Impersonal Pronoun
- Numeral
1. 'One' as an Impersonal Pronoun
Use
One as an impersonal pronoun replaces the subject or the object. One, in general, does not refer to a specific thing or person. Here are some examples:
When I was accepted to the university, my sisters became so happy and
'One' is a subject and refers to 'my sisters' but we do not know which one.
I have some books. Do you want
'One' is an impersonal object pronoun because it replaces the object.
Patterns with 'One'
One as an impersonal pronoun can be used with these structures:
- one of + superlative adjectives + plural nouns
'The most modern' is a superlative adjective.
- one of + possessive determiners + plural nouns
It is not clear which book we are referring to.
- one of + object pronouns
My brother has so many students. But he likes
'Them' is an object pronoun.
- the one(s) + that/which/who
I have so many books.
'One' is a pronoun.
I have three friends.
- this one/that one/these ones/those ones
This book is awesome.
'This one' replaces the subject.
Position in a Sentence
2. 'One' as a Numeral
One as a numeral has three functions:
- Adverbial Noun
- Noun
- Determiner
2.1. 'One' as an Adverbial Noun
Use
One as an adverbial noun is a noun that replaces the adverb. Here are its uses:
- One means 'one o'clock.' For example:
Come here at
- One means 'one year old.' For example:
Alan turns
Position in a Sentence
One as an adverbial noun acts as an adverb, so it modifies the verb. Look:
Alan turns
'One' completes the meaning of the verb 'turns.'
2.2 'One' as a Noun
One as a noun can be a number, a drink, the size of clothing, a joke, etc. Take a look at its uses:
Use
- One is a cardinal number. For example:
- One as a noun means an alcoholic drink. For example:
Let's have
- *One is used in shopping to refer to the size one. For example:
- One in informal English means 'a joke' or 'a story.' For example:
Have you heard of the
- One in American English means one dollar. Note that it is informal. Look:
If you are short of money, I have
Position in a Sentence
One as a noun is positioned in different ways. Look:
2.3 'One' as a Determiner
Use
One as a determiner modifies a noun or a noun phrase and it is used in many ways. We will cover its uses in this section.
- One as a determiner makes the preceding noun or noun phrase indefinite. For example:
'One day' means no matter when.
'One night' means it does not matter which night.
They have
'One big house' means 'a big house' no matter which house.
- One is used with people's name to show that we have never met them before. Like:
They sold their car to
The owner of this house is
'One Alan' means 'someone called Alan.'
- One in north American English is used to emphasize the following noun. Remember that this use is mainly in conversations. For example:
He was
This boy is famous for being big-mouth.
I had
'One horrible dream' means 'the worst dream ever.'
Position in a Sentence
One as a determiner comes before nouns or noun phrases. Look:
'Night' is a noun.
They have
'Big house' is a noun phrase.
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