ones

Meanings

1. 1pronounplural

   Used instead of a plural noun already mentioned or understood, meaning people or things of that type.

   Grammar: Replaces a plural countable noun to avoid repetition; often preceded by 'the' or an adjective.

   Patterns

   • the ones
   • the ones that/who
   • the ... ones

   I like the red ones better than the blue ones.

   These shoes are too small; I need the larger ones.

   The ones who arrived late missed the announcement.

2. 2nounplural

   The digits or numbers represented by the numeral 1, as in counting individual units.

   Grammar: Usually used in the plural to refer to multiple instances of the number 1.

   Patterns

   • count the ones
   • add the ones
   • the ones column

   In the number 111, there are three ones.

   Please add the ones first, then the tens.

   The binary code consists of zeros and ones.

3. 3nounpluralinformal

   Young children, especially in the phrase 'the little ones'.

   Grammar: Used affectionately to refer to children; always plural and often with 'little'.

   Patterns

   • the little ones
   • the young ones

   She stayed home to look after the little ones.

   The little ones were excited about the trip.

   He read a bedtime story to the little ones.

Common combinations

the ones that

The ones that are broken should be thrown away.

the ones who

The ones who finish first can leave early.

the little ones

The little ones need a nap in the afternoon.

the ones in

The ones in the box are mine.

Synonyms and how they differ

those

Use 'those' to point to specific things at a distance; 'ones' replaces a noun already mentioned, often with 'the'.

Word family

one pronoun

Singular form: used to refer to a single person or thing of a type.

Commonly confused: ones or once?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ones”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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