Sign up for freeSign up

Giant balloons over Manhattan: one and ones to avoid repeating a noun

A2 learners use one and ones in place of a noun in this ESL lesson plan about a Thanksgiving balloon parade.

Grammar
One for one thing and ones for two or more, in place of a noun: a big one, the yellow ones, Which one is yours?, the one with the green hat.
Topic
New York City's Thanksgiving parade from 1924 to today's helium balloons, with about 90 handlers for a big one, and words such as inflate, rope, helium and knot.
Activities
The show's post on the parade's story, a talk with a balloon handler and a viewer's question, self-checking drills, a favorites chat with Maya and open boxes.

What's inside

  1. Chapter 1Balloons, balloons, balloons!

    • PictureUnlock
    • Spin the wheel and answerSpin the wheelUnlock
    • Study the words: the balloon paradeVocabularyTry it
    • Look at the pictures and chooseChoose by pictureUnlock

  2. Chapter 2Let's read: the parade's story

    • Look at the photo: the Thanksgiving paradePictureUnlock
    • Read the show's postReal-life documentTry it
    • Read and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
    • Read again and choose the right answerQuizUnlock

  3. Chapter 3Let's listen: the night before

    • Listen to Nora and IsaacListeningTry it
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and choose the right answerQuizUnlock
    • Listen to the Viewer's QuestionListeningUnlock
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock

  4. Chapter 4Grammar: the big one, the yellow ones

    • Study the scheme: one and onesGrammar schemeTry it
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: use one or ones, not the nounFill in the gapsTry it
    • Fill in the table: one or onesFill in the tableUnlock
    • Choose the right sentenceQuizUnlock

  5. Chapter 5Let's talk: which one is yours?

    • Choose the right replies: which one is your favorite?ChatTry it
    • Open a box and answer: big ones, small onesOpen the boxUnlock

  6. Chapter 6Homework

    • Match the words and the meaningsMatchUnlock
    • Unscramble the wordsAnagramUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps with the lesson's wordsFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Choose the correct wordChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: don't say the noun againFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct orderUnjumbleUnlock
    • Choose the right answerQuizUnlock
    • Drag the words into the gaps: Maya's notebookDrag and dropUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: our goodbye postChoose the optionUnlock

30 exercises in 6 chapters. Start a 7-day free trial to open all of them, copy any part into your own lessons, and teach the lesson live.

Vocabulary

10 words and phrases from the lesson, each with a picture and audio in edio.

+7 more with pictures and audio in the lessonMore words

  • handler
  • rope
  • helium
  • giant
  • knot
  • reward
  • hippo

Grammar: one and ones in place of a noun

English usually avoids saying the same noun twice in a row: the pronoun one stands in for it, and ones does the same for plurals. Choosing favorites at a balloon parade, learners replace the second noun with one or ones, put a, the or an adjective before it, ask Which one?, and keep nouns like music as they are.

I like the big one. The yellow ones are my favorites.

Use one (one thing) or ones (two or more), so you don't say the same noun again.

Don't say the noun twice

When the noun is clear from what came before, one or ones takes its place: I don't like the red balloon. I like the blue one. The short ropes are new. The long ones are old. Saying the noun again sounds heavy.

The noun again 😕

  • I don't like the red balloon. I like the blue balloon.
  • The short ropes are new. The long ropes are old.

one / ones 😊

  • I don't like the red balloon. I like the blue one.
  • The short ropes are new. The long ones are old.

One thing or more: one or ones

One stands for a singular noun, ones for a plural: the yellow one, the yellow ones, my favorite ones. After a or an, only one fits: a big one, but just big ones. The verb follows the number, too: Which one is yours? Which ones are yours?

Before itone: one thingones: two or more
a / an + adjectivea big oneno a / an: big ones
the + adjectivethe yellow onethe yellow ones
my favorite, the firstmy favorite one, the first onemy favorite ones, the first ones
Which…?Which one is yours?Which ones are yours?
the … with …the one with the red ropethe ones with the green hats

No noun after one, and the one with…

One and ones replace the noun, so the noun never comes after them: the big one, not the big one balloon. They also follow this, that, the first and my favorite, and they work before with: the one with the red rope.

one and ones take the noun's place

one = one thing, ones = two or more. Don't say the noun after them: the big one (not: the big one balloon). After a / an, use only one: a big one (not: a big ones). Which one + is, Which ones + are.

At the parade

  • I don't want a small balloon. I want a big one.
  • They're inflating the turkey balloon. Next, they're going to inflate the dog one.
  • Tie the short ropes first. Then tie the long ones.
  • Which one is your favorite? – The orange one!
  • Do you want this one or that one?
  • Isaac is the one with the green hat.

Not for music, water or helium

Nouns with no plural, such as music, water and helium, take no one or ones, so the noun comes back: I don't like loud music. I like quiet music. Quiet one would be wrong here, and so would warm one for water.

Not for water, music, helium

Nouns like water, music and helium have no plural. Don't use one or ones for them. Say the noun again: I don't like loud music. I like quiet music (not: quiet one).

Four common slips

The scheme's mistakes come from mixing the rules: the big one balloon keeps the noun, The yellow one are uses one for a plural, a small ones puts a before a plural, and Which ones is yours? pairs ones with is.

  • I want the big one balloon.

    I want the big one.

    one = balloon: don't say both

  • The yellow one are my favorites.

    The yellow ones are my favorites.

    two or more: ones

  • I'd like a small ones.

    I'd like a small one.

    a / an + one, never ones

  • Which ones is yours?

    Which one is yours? / Which ones are yours?

    one + is, ones + are

More lessons on this grammar: Pronouns lessons and exercises

Try the one and ones exercises

Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.

More exercises

What's in the lesson

  • 17 auto-checked exercises
  • 4 games
  • 1 real-life document
  • 1 grammar scheme
  • 1 set of word cards
  • 2 audio clips
  • 2 pictures
  • 2 transcripts

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

  • use one and ones instead of repeating a noun: I don't like the red balloon. I like the blue one.
  • put a, the or an adjective before them: a big one, the yellow ones, my favorite one
  • ask and answer about choices: Which one is yours? Which ones are yours? The one with the green hat.
  • keep the noun with words like music and water: I like quiet music, not quiet one

Lesson 32 closes Traditions we love and, with it, English A2.2 · Curious Minds. It builds on countable and uncountable nouns from A2.1 lesson 9, since only countable nouns can become one or ones, and on this and that from A1.1 lesson 14, which now come before one: this one, that one. At a parade of big and small balloons, Which one is your favorite? is the obvious question.

The lesson opens with a wheel of questions about parades, balloons and favorite holidays and ten word cards with pictures and audio, from inflate, tie and let go to reward and hippo. Students read the show's post on the parade's story, from store workers and zoo animals in 1924 to the first balloon in 1927, then hear Nora meet Isaac, a balloon handler, the night before (an AI-voiced dialogue), and a viewer asking Which balloon is your favorite one? The drills after the scheme, four in all, check answers as students go; one is a table that turns each noun into one or ones. In the speaking chapter, Maya messages from the parade to ask about the student's favorites, and open boxes ask about big ones and small ones.

Every homework task checks itself: matching, unscrambling and a gap-fill with the lesson's words, a choice of one, ones or it, gap-fills that avoid the noun, word order, a quiz, Maya's notebook with words to drag in and the friends' goodbye post.

Grammar:
one / ones · the big one, the yellow ones · Which one? Which ones? · the one with… · this one / that one
Topic:
Thanksgiving · Thanksgiving parade · New York City · giant balloons · Philadelphia · Curious Minds

Teaching tips

  • Collect three bags or jackets at the front and ask Which one is yours? Owners answer with The black one or The one with the zipper, never naming the noun.
  • Draw balloons in different sizes and colors on the board, and let students vote for favorites with I like the big one or The yellow ones are my favorites.
  • Play the handler dialogue for the numbers: how many handlers a big balloon needs, how many a small one needs, and the years when finders got a reward.
  • Hold up a card that says one whenever a student repeats a noun (the red balloon… the blue balloon), and wait until the sentence comes back with one or ones.

Liked it?

Teach the whole lesson in edio

30 exercises in 6 chapters, ready to teach. edio is an online platform for language schools and teachers: ready-made interactive lessons, live classes, homework and student progress in one place.

  1. Start a free trial

    7 days, no credit card.

  2. Open the lesson

    Find it in the library of 621 ready lessons. Teach it as it is, or copy any chapter into your own lessons.

  3. Teach it live or as homework

    Students work in their own accounts, in sync with you during the lesson, and the practice exercises check themselves.

Teach it free for 7 days

The whole course: English A2.2 · Curious Minds

32 lessons that pick up where English A2.1 ends, in simple American English, from the present perfect to used to, have to and relative clauses. Eight units cover nature, tech at home, heroes, healthy habits, fashion, school, animals and traditions. Pictures and definitions replace translations, and the practice exercises check themselves.See the course

  1. Unit 1 Wonders of nature

    the present perfect with ever and never, been to, superlatives with I've ever, articles with place names

    1. Lesson 1Have you ever seen the sky dance?The present perfect for experiences
    2. Lesson 2Have you been to the Grand Canyon?Present perfect vs past simple
    3. Lesson 3The longest cave in the worldSuperlatives with the present perfect
    4. Lesson 4The first national parkArticles with place names

  2. Unit 2 Clever tech at home

    the present perfect with just, already and yet, phrasal verbs, subject and object questions

    1. Lesson 5The chocolate bar that meltedThe present perfect with just
    2. Lesson 6Has my lunch arrived yet?Already and yet with the present perfect
    3. Lesson 7Turn it on, turn it offPhrasal verbs with it and them
    4. Lesson 8The girl who tests waterSubject and object questions

  3. Unit 3 Everyday heroes

    the past continuous, when and while, adjective order, story linkers

    1. Lesson 9When the pager beepsThe past continuous with was and were
    2. Lesson 10The man who planted apple treesPast continuous and past simple with when and while
    3. Lesson 11What's in the lost and found?The order of adjectives
    4. Lesson 12The dogs who saved NomeStory linkers

  4. Unit 4 Healthy and happy habits

    will for predictions, the zero and first conditionals, so do I and neither do I

    1. Lesson 13Why does school start later in California?Will and won't for predictions, decisions and offers
    2. Lesson 14Brain freeze!The zero conditional for facts
    3. Lesson 15Doctor's orders: go to the park!The first conditional with if and will
    4. Lesson 16Walking in the mall at 7 a.m.Agreeing with So do I and Neither do I

  5. Unit 5 Style through time

    used to, didn't use to, made of and made from, still and not anymore

    1. Lesson 17Why did everyone use to wear a hat?Used to for past habits and states
    2. Lesson 18Jeans used to be work clothesUsed to in negatives and questions
    3. Lesson 19Quilts made from old clothesMade of, made from and made by
    4. Lesson 20Cowboy boots, still made by handStill, not anymore and no longer

  6. Unit 6 School in America

    have to, must and mustn't, be allowed to, had to

    1. Lesson 21Do you have to wear a uniform?Have to and don't have to for rules
    2. Lesson 22Stop for the yellow bus!Must, mustn't and don't have to
    3. Lesson 23A class trip to the SmithsonianBe allowed to and can for permission
    4. Lesson 24One room, one teacher, every gradeHad to and didn't have to for past duties

  7. Unit 7 Amazing animals

    relative clauses with which, that, who and where, look and sound + adjective, adjectives with prepositions

    1. Lesson 25The bird that copies car alarmsRelative clauses with which and that
    2. Lesson 26Alligators and crocodiles togetherWho, which, that and where in relative clauses
    3. Lesson 27Sailors thought it was a mermaidLook, sound and feel as linking verbs
    4. Lesson 28Beagles at the airportAdjectives with prepositions

  8. Unit 8 Traditions we love

    invitations, will vs going to, so and such, one and ones

    1. Lesson 29Come to our cookout!Making, accepting and refusing invitations
    2. Lesson 30Is spring going to come early?Will vs going to for the future
    3. Lesson 31From turnips to pumpkinsSo and such for emphasis
    4. Lesson 32 · you're hereGiant balloons over ManhattanOne and ones in place of a noun

Questions about this lesson

How do you use "which one" in English?
Which one asks someone to choose from a group: There are three costumes. Which one is yours? For two or more things, ask Which ones and use are: Which ones are yours? The answer usually keeps one or ones too: The orange one! The black ones. In the A2 lesson Giant balloons over Manhattan on edio.ai, a chat asks Which one is your favorite? about two parade balloons.
How do you use one and ones?
Use one and ones to avoid repeating a noun: one for one thing, ones for two or more. I don't want a small balloon. I want a big one. Tie the short ropes first. Then tie the long ones. Put an adjective, the, this, that or my favorite before them, but never the noun after them: the big one, not the big one balloon.
When do you use ones instead of one?
Use ones when the noun it replaces is plural: My favorite balloons are the yellow ones. These boots are too small. I need bigger ones. With one thing, use one, and after a or an it's always one. The verb agrees as well: The yellow ones are my favorites, not The yellow one are.
Is "one" a pronoun?
Yes: one is a pronoun when it replaces a countable noun, as in I like the blue one, and ones is its plural. In formal English, one can also mean people in general: One should always be polite. In everyday American English, you usually does that job: You should always be polite. Only the first use comes up in Giant balloons over Manhattan, an A2 lesson on edio.ai.
How do you use "this one" and "that one"?
This one is near you; that one is farther away: Do you want this rope or that one? I like this one, but that one is bigger. Both replace a noun that's already clear, so don't repeat it: this one, not this one rope. For plurals, these and those usually stand alone: I like those. A gap-fill on this page, from Giant balloons over Manhattan on edio.ai, ends with the rope question.
Is it "ones" or "one's"?
Write ones, with no apostrophe, for the plural pronoun: the yellow ones, Which ones are yours? One's is a different word: it's short for one is (That one's mine.) or the possessive of formal one (one's own home). So The long ones are old needs no apostrophe, but The big one's my favorite does.
Is it "a big one" or "a big ones"?
It's a big one: a or an goes only with one. I don't want a small balloon. I want a big one. We have two dogs: a big one and a small one. With a plural, drop the a: I need bigger ones, not I need a bigger ones. The chat in the A2 lesson Giant balloons over Manhattan on edio.ai offers It's a small ones as a wrong reply.
Can you use one for music or water?
No: uncountable nouns like music and water take no one, because they have no plural. Say the noun again instead: I don't like loud music. I like quiet music. I don't like cold water. I like warm water. The same goes for weather and helium. Countable nouns work as usual: I don't like this song. I like that one.
How do I teach one and ones to A2 students?
Start from a choice between real objects, such as two pens or three bags, so the noun is already clear: Which one do you want? The red one. Add plurals with ones next, then a + adjective + one, then the one with… Giant balloons over Manhattan, an A2 lesson on edio.ai, goes from a compare block, the noun twice against one, to drills and a chat about favorites.
What's a good game for practicing one and ones?
A shop role-play works well: the seller shows two or three similar things, and the buyer chooses with I'd like the blue one or Can I see that one? Open-the-box prompts add quick choices, such as Phones: do you like big ones or small ones? Why? One box asks students to design a giant parade balloon and describe it by its animal and color: Ours is the … one!
What's good homework for practicing one and ones?
Good homework gives sentences with a repeated noun to fix: My old scarf has a hole in it. I need a warm new scarf becomes I need a warm new one. Mix in uncountable nouns, which keep the noun. In edio.ai's Giant balloons over Manhattan, all nine homework tasks check themselves, from word games and gap-fills to a goodbye post that asks Which stop was your favorite one?
Are there interactive exercises for one and ones?
Yes: gap-fills and chats that check every answer help learners stop repeating nouns. With no account, this page plays four parts of Giant balloons over Manhattan, an A2 lesson on edio.ai: the show's post on the parade's story, Nora's talk with a balloon handler the night before, a gap-fill that swaps each noun for one or ones, and a chat with Maya about favorite balloons. Everything else, the table included, is locked.
Unlock full lesson

Teach this lesson with your students

Book a demoStart free trial

No credit card required