Practice
Substitution words: one, ones, do, and so
Sign in to saveEnglish often lets you leave out words that the listener already understands. Instead of repeating the same noun or action, choose a substitution word that points back to it.
Use one, ones, do, and so to avoid unnecessary repetition while keeping the meaning of a noun, verb phrase, or earlier statement clear.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
I think so. /aɪ ˈθɪŋk səʊ/
The short answer
Use one or ones for a countable noun, do for a repeated action, and so for a positive idea that you expect, believe, or report. The substitute must have a clear earlier meaning.
I need a pen. Do you have one?
Why it works: One replaces the singular countable noun pen, so the noun does not need to be repeated.
4 more examples
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This chair is uncomfortable. Could we use a softer one?
One replaces chair and keeps the adjective softer, which identifies the different chair.
Not this:Could we use
a softer chair? What changes: This is also correct, but it repeats chair when the listener already knows which type of object you mean. -
The small files are useful, but the larger ones are easier to read.
Ones replaces the plural countable noun files after the adjective larger.
Not this:
The larger filesare easier to read. What changes: Repeating files is possible, though ones avoids repetition when the reference is clear. -
Mina checks the figures carefully, and her colleague does too.
Does replaces checks the figures carefully. It agrees with the singular subject her colleague.
Not this:Mina checks the figures carefully, and her colleagues
do too. What changes: With the plural subject colleagues, use do instead of does. -
I think the delivery will arrive before noon, and the receptionist thinks so too.
So refers to the earlier positive statement about the delivery arriving before noon.
Not this:I do not think the delivery will arrive before noon, and the receptionist
does not think so either. What changes: So can still refer to the content after a negative reporting verb, but either is used instead of too.
Read the full guide
First find the word or idea that would be repeated. Then ask what kind of language it is. A singular countable thing may need one. Several countable things may need ones. An action may need do, and a whole positive statement may sometimes become so.
Use one for one countable thing
Use one when a singular countable noun has already been named or is obvious in the situation. A modifier can come before one and show which item you mean. Do not use one alone when the listener cannot identify the noun it replaces.
My old laptop still works, but I would like a faster one.
Use ones for more than one
Use ones for plural countable nouns. It often follows an adjective, a this or those phrase, or another description. The word ones tells the listener that you still mean things of the same general type.
Which gloves should I pack, the woolen ones or the waterproof ones?
Use do to repeat an action
Do can replace a main verb or a longer verb phrase after the first speaker has made the action clear. Choose the grammatical form that matches the new subject and time. Use does with he, she, or it in the present and did for the past.
Our team submitted the form on Friday, and the finance team did too.
Use so for a positive statement
So can replace an earlier positive clause after verbs such as think, hope, believe, suppose, and say. It usually answers a question or responds to an opinion. Make sure the earlier statement is close enough that so has one clear meaning.
Will the new schedule reduce delays? I hope so.
Keep the reference clear
A substitution word saves space only when the listener can recover the missing language easily. If several nouns or ideas could fit, repeat the important word instead. Clear reference matters more than avoiding every repeated word.
I compared two proposals, but the shorter one did not include a budget.
Know when substitution does not fit
One and ones replace countable nouns, so they do not replace information, furniture, or advice. So does not usually follow every verb. After know, for example, English often uses a clause or a different response pattern. Learn the substitute together with the verbs and noun types that allow it.
Say I need some information, not I need one information. Say I hope so when you mean that you hope an earlier positive statement is true.
Before you go
Remember this
Use one for a singular countable noun and ones for a plural countable noun. Use do when you repeat an action, changing it to does, did, or another required form. Use so when it clearly refers to a positive statement after a suitable reporting or opinion verb.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Substitution words: one, ones, do, and so"
What is the difference between one and ones?
Use one for a singular countable noun and ones for a plural countable noun. For example, a lighter coat refers to one coat, while lighter coats or the lighter ones refers to more than one coat.
This chair is uncomfortable. Could we use a softer one?
Can I use one with an uncountable noun?
Usually no. One and ones replace countable nouns. Use some, a little, or the noun itself with an uncountable noun, depending on the meaning. Say some useful advice, not one useful advice.
Could we use a softer chair?
Why does do sometimes become does or did?
The substitute follows the normal grammar of the new clause. Use does with a singular third-person subject in the present and did for a past action. The missing action comes from the earlier context.
The small files are useful, but the larger ones are easier to read.
Which verbs can I use before so?
So commonly follows verbs that introduce an opinion, expectation, or report, such as think, hope, believe, suppose, and say. It should point to a clear positive statement that has just been mentioned.
The larger files are easier to read.
When should I repeat the noun or idea instead?
Repeat it when one, ones, do, or so could point to more than one possible meaning. A little repetition is clearer than making the listener guess which noun, action, or statement you mean.
Mina checks the figures carefully, and her colleague does too.