The phrase “one of the” is commonly used in English to indicate that something or someone is a part of a larger group. Here are several sentence examples to illustrate different ways to use “one of the”:
- Describing a Member of a Group: “She is one of the best students in her class.”
- Identifying a Unique Item Among Many: “This is one of the rarest coins in my collection.”
- Highlighting a Part of a Whole: “One of the chapters in this book is dedicated to ancient history.”
- Expressing a Personal Preference: “Chocolate is one of the flavors I like the most.”
- Citing an Example: “One of the reasons I love summer is the sunny weather.”
- Indicating Inclusion in a Category: “He was one of the volunteers at the event.”
- Referring to a Particular Instance: “One of the days we spent in Paris was completely rainy.”
- Specifying a Single Element in a Series: “One of the episodes in that TV series really stands out for its creativity.”
- Mentioning a Component of a Larger Entity: “One of the keys on my keyboard is broken.”
- Pointing Out a Member of a Set: “One of the paintings in the gallery was truly breathtaking.”
These examples show how “one of the” can be used in different contexts to refer to a single element within a group, a category, a collection, or a series.
One of the + Singular and Plural Nouns
When it comes to using the phrase “one of the” in English, many learners find it confusing whether to follow it with a singular or plural noun. This guide aims to clarify this common grammatical quandary.
Key Concept: The phrase “one of the” typically precedes a plural noun. This is because the phrase implies that the subject is a single member of a larger group.
Examples:
- Correct: “He is one of the best players.”
- Incorrect: “He is one of the best player.”
However, the verb that follows can be singular or plural, depending on the subject of the sentence.
Sentence Structure: The general structure for using “one of the” is as follows:
- Subject + Verb + “one of the” + Plural Noun + Relative Clause.
The relative clause that follows “one of the” can have either a singular or plural verb, depending on the context.
Examples:
- “She is one of the players who play exceptionally well.” (Plural verb)
- “She is one of the players who has won many awards.” (Singular verb)
Additional Points:
- When saying that an item is part of a group, “one of the” is used with a plural noun.
- Example: “This is one of the oldest buildings in the city.”
- For personalizing, you might say, “She is one of my friends who does yoga regularly.” Here, ‘does’ agrees with ‘she.’
In Summary:
- Use “one of the” followed by a plural noun.
- The verb in the relative clause depends on the sentence’s subject.
- “One of the” is a versatile phrase used to indicate a single element or individual within a larger set.
By following these guidelines, you can accurately use “one of the” in various contexts, enhancing both your written and spoken English skills.
