Page 143 - IELTS Preparation Grammar and Vocab

Substitution and ellipsis 20

Grammar

Substitution: one/ones

START POI .
They do diving holidays in quite a few places. I went for the one based in Brisbane. (one = diving holiday; one
replaces a singular countable noun or a noun phrase)
Take a couple of pairs of old trainers - preferably plastic ones. (ones = trainers; ones replaces a plural noun)

We don't usually use one/ones:
to replace an uncountable noun. Instead we use some
Don't forget insect repellent You'll certainly need some (not... need-one)
to talk about a specific item. Compare
Do you know anyone who's got a sleeping bag? I was hoping to borrow one
Have you still got your sleeping bag? Can I borrow it? (= a particular sleeping bag)
after the, unless it follows an adjective:
'Are these your trainers?' 'No, the leather ones are mine!
or unless there is a descriptive phrase after one/ones:
They had a number of adventure holidays on offer; and I chose the one that was cheapest.
I went for the one based in Brisbane.
after a possessive adjective (e.g. my). Instead we prefer a possessive pronoun (e.g. mine) or a phrase with
an adjective
You can borrow mine. orYou can borrow my old one rather than You can borrow my one.
However, one/ones is sometimes used after a possessive adjective in informal speech.
We don't usually use ones on its own to replace a noun phrase. Compare:
'You'll need trainers! 'Okay, I'll bring some: orTll bring some old ones: (not144-bring-ertes.)
We can either include or leave out one/ones after which, whichever; superlatives; either, neither, another, each (but
not every); the first/second/last; the other; this, that, these, those; and often after colour adjectives:
7 can't decide whether to go on the adventure holiday to Thailand or Australia! 'I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever
(one )you go on:
Get your own face mask. Buy the best (one )you can afford.
I've had three holidays with Trans World Adventures, but the first (one)was the best.
I've got these two sleeping bags, but this (one)is rather dirty. (these ones and those ones are only used in
informal speech)
We had two small boats to practise sailing in. One was green and the other (one)was red. I used to sail in the
green (one)

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