"...(as important)...one...one's..."

Question

"Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles."

Does this sentence sound natural? There are two points that I am particularly unsure of. The first is whether 'as important' is used correctly here. I wanted to emphasize that retaining one's individuality warrants the same importance as belong to a group does. The second point is that I am unsure if I should use the pronoun 'one' and 'one's' here?

Thanks

PBF

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

"Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles."

Does this sentence sound natural?Yes.
There are two points that I am particularly unsure of. The first is whether 'as important' is used correctly here. I wanted to emphasize that retaining one's individuality warrants the same importance as belong to a group does. 'As important' is fine. We often add emphasis by using the phrase 'just as important'.

The second point is that I am unsure if I should use the pronoun 'one' and 'one's' here? This is fine.

Best wishes, Clive

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Thank you for your reply Clive.

I was just wondering would it be equally correct and natural to use 'we' or 'people' instead of 'one' ?

Thanks again

PBF

Avangi · Answer

"People retain their moral values" is fine.  "We retain our moral values" is also fine, as long as you're speaking as one of us and not as a computerized robot from outer space. (These days, you never know.)

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Thank you for your follow-up, Avangi.

Does 'human being' in the preceding sentence affect the choice of pronouns in the second sentence?

Thanks again

PBG

Avangi · Answer

Only if the statement is being made by a non-human.   - A.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
"Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles."

I was just wondering would it be equally correct and natural to use 'we' or 'people' instead of 'one' ?

It would be OK, and probably more natural. However, 'we' and 'people' focus on plurality, yet the sentence is concerned with individuality. So, I prefer 'one' here, myself.

Clive

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Thank you both for your replies.

AvangiOnly if the statement is being made by a non-human. - A.

Last time I checked I belonged to the species **** sapiens.What a relief.

CliveHi,

"Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles."

I was just wondering would it be equally correct and natural to use 'we' or 'people' instead of 'one' ?

It would be OK, and probably more natural. However, 'we' and 'people' focus on plurality, yet the sentence is concerned with individuality. So, I prefer 'one' here, myself.

Clive

Oh yeah. That's a very noteworthy point. I prefer 'one' here as well then.

In general, would it be considered good style if we adopt different points of view in a piece of writing?

For instance;

Modifying my original sentence, "Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles. The sense of beloning to a group fulfils one of the greatest needs as a social being. But how far should we be prepared to compromise our own values in order to 'fit in'?

- Is it good style to use 'you', 'one', ' human beings', 'I', 'we', etc. in the same piece of writing? Or should I stick with one particular point of view?

- Does 'consistency' have a stake here? For example, should I say 'human being' instead of 'social being' in the third sentence?

Thank you again for your help

PBF

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In general, would it be considered good style if we adopt different points of view in a piece of writing? Generally speaking, no.

For instance;

Modifying my original sentence, "Human beings have a need to belong to a group. However, it is as important that one retain one's individuality such as one's moral values and principles. The sense of belonging to a group fulfils one of our greatest needs as social beings. But how far should we each be prepared to compromise our own values in order to 'fit in'?

- Is it good style to use 'you', 'one', ' human beings', 'I', 'we', etc. in the same piece of writing? Or should I stick with one particular point of view?

- Does 'consistency' have a stake here? Yes.

For example, should I say 'human being' instead of 'social being' in the third sentence? No. There's a reason to say 'social beings'. ie You are focusing on our social needs.

I've made a few suggestions.

Clive

"...(as important)...one...one's..."

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions