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from Oxford Grammar TIPS Intermediate to Advanced


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Impersonal pronoun one


The impersonal pronoun one is used in two ways:
1. When the speaker or writer wants to avoid referring directly to him- or herself.
One does one’s best. (Meaning: ‘I do my best,’ but sounding more modest.)
2. When talking about or referring to people in general.
When one has retired, one can enjoy getting up later in the morning.
This is a very formal usage, and in most contexts should be replaced by I, if referring
back to the speaker or writer, or by you, when referring to people in general.
One would have no problem understanding.
I would have no problem understanding.
You would have no problem understanding.

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Impersonal pronoun one


The impersonal pronoun one is used in two ways:
1. When the speaker or writer wants to avoid referring directly to him- or herself.
One does one’s best. (Meaning: ‘I do my best,’ but sounding more modest.)
2. When talking about or referring to people in general.
When one has retired, one can enjoy getting up later in the morning.
This is a very formal usage, and in most contexts should be replaced by I, if referring
back to the speaker or writer, or by you, when referring to people in general.
One would have no problem understanding.
I would have no problem understanding.
You would have no problem understanding.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Oxford University Press 2008

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