one

Question

Hi,I think the word 'one' can assume many functions but I am not sure about the use of 'one' in the first case, whereas the second and third ones are fine to me. I cannot explain why that is.1. It is one apple. -- I think it should be "It is an apple." If you have two apples, how would you say it? C ould it be "They are two apples"?It is one step. -- This doesn't seem right too. If not, why is that? 2. There is one apple. -- Correct, it seems.3. I have one apple. -- Correct, it seems.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Hi, Anon,

I think I see what you mean. In your first case example, to simply say that something "is" doesn't give very much information, unless you're a philosopher, like Descartes, "I think, therefore I am." Your first case example works best when answering questions. "What is it?" "It's an apple." (It is an apple.) "What are they?" "They're apples." (They are apples.) (Notice that when we use the plural, we omit the article altogether.)

The number of apples is usually a separate question: "How many apples are there?" "There is one apple." "There are two apples." We don't very often combine the two questions, "What is it?" and "How many are there?" in such a way that both are answered by one sentence. Perhaps in the case of a misunderstanding: "What is it?" "It's two apples!" "What are they?" "It's one apple." If the question is asked in the singular and there are more than one, or if it's asked in the plural and there's only one, you could correct the misunderstanding with your answer. But, as you pointed out, you wouldn't answer the question, "What is it?" by saying, "It's one apple." You'd say, "It's an apple."

In trying to think of an example beginning with "It is" which is not answering a question, I can only recall a famous poem, "It is an ancient mariner that stoppest one of three." And he doesn't say, "It is ONE ancient mariner." But there's a slang expression, "He is one happy camper!"

In your second and third case examples, both questions are answered (what are they and how many are there?) "What's in the bag?" "There are two apples." "What do you have in the bag?" "I have one apple and two oranges."

FINALLY, I think your first case example should really be, (singular) "It is an apple," (plural) "They are apples." I don't think the form is meant to count the apples, but is an unfortunate consequence of the structure of singular & plural pronouns & verbs. I don't think "one" belongs in the picture. (Perhaps you knew that!)

How about, "[It is] one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?"

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