“One can do his homework in the library”
One can do his homework in the library.
One can do one's homework in the library.
Nowadays, are these structures part of colloquial English? The use of one as a pronoun is still in use or is it considered formal if not old-fashioned? In this case how can we render colloquially the same idea?
pronouns
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
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Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
One can do his homework in the library.
One can do one's homework in the library.
Nowadays, are these structures part of colloquial English? The use of one as a pronoun is still in use or is it considered formal if not old-fashioned? In this case how can we render colloquially the same idea?
pronouns
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
1
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
One can do his homework in the library.
One can do one's homework in the library.
Nowadays, are these structures part of colloquial English? The use of one as a pronoun is still in use or is it considered formal if not old-fashioned? In this case how can we render colloquially the same idea?
pronouns
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
One can do his homework in the library.
One can do one's homework in the library.
Nowadays, are these structures part of colloquial English? The use of one as a pronoun is still in use or is it considered formal if not old-fashioned? In this case how can we render colloquially the same idea?
pronouns
pronouns
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
asked 7 hours ago
DimitrisDimitris
1284
1284
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Dimitris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
1
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
4
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
1
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
4
4
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
1
1
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can, he can, she can, they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.
The best solution is to use a more specific word than one.
A student can do his or her homework in the library.
A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they).
A student can do their homework in the library.
Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.
Students can do their homework in the library.
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
add a comment |
These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can, he can, she can, they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.
The best solution is to use a more specific word than one.
A student can do his or her homework in the library.
A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they).
A student can do their homework in the library.
Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.
Students can do their homework in the library.
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
add a comment |
In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can, he can, she can, they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.
The best solution is to use a more specific word than one.
A student can do his or her homework in the library.
A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they).
A student can do their homework in the library.
Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.
Students can do their homework in the library.
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
add a comment |
In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can, he can, she can, they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.
The best solution is to use a more specific word than one.
A student can do his or her homework in the library.
A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they).
A student can do their homework in the library.
Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.
Students can do their homework in the library.
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can, he can, she can, they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.
The best solution is to use a more specific word than one.
A student can do his or her homework in the library.
A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they).
A student can do their homework in the library.
Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.
Students can do their homework in the library.
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
answered 7 hours ago
Benjamin KuykendallBenjamin Kuykendall
745210
745210
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
1
1
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
Maybe drop the pronoun? "Students can do homework in the library."
– Ken Shirriff
5 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
@ken. You can. But that is true whether you use one or a student.
– Benjamin Kuykendall
4 hours ago
1
1
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer.
– jsw29
4 hours ago
add a comment |
These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
answered 7 hours ago
Greg LeeGreg Lee
14.7k2932
14.7k2932
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
3
3
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Dimitris is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dimitris is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dimitris is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dimitris is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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4
One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library.
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago
@tchrist Thanks for the feedback. Actually the first sentence was posted here french.stackexchange.com/questions/34230/pronoun-choice-for-on
– Dimitris
7 hours ago
1
The problem isn't the one. The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his, which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :)
– tchrist♦
7 hours ago