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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

you vs one

I was wondering which of the following would be proper english:
  1. How does one tell a child...
  2. How do you tell a child...
In this case, the you is general, so it doesn't apply to anyone specifically. This english question has always puzzled me. I know in german a disticntion is made (du/Sie vs man). Just wondering how it works in english. Thank.
  

Top answer

I think one is more formal and British.

— Marius Hancu

  • I think one is more formal and British.
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6 Answers
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I think one is more formal and British.
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Agreed. In practice, in the U.S., you almost never hear "one." (See? I did it just there. I could have said "One almost never hears "one," but that would have sounded a little stuffy in this forum.)

However, as MH points out, in more formal writing, "one should use one."

(And I can't vouce for the UK usage. Sorry.)
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One doesn't hear 'one' very often in the UK either. It may be 'correct' but few people use it. Emotion: smile
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Nona The BritOne doesn't hear 'one' very often in the UK either. It may be 'correct' but few people use it. Emotion: smile
The follwing is appearances per. 1 million words in the BNC. I think the figure it quite high. Someone out there seem
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I didn't say no-one uses it - of course some people do. But, honestly, most people don't.
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Nona The BritI didn't say no-one uses it - of course some people do. But, honestly, most people don't.
Most people don't find themselves in highly formal situations, Nona.
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