Singular and Plural

These things are plural in English:

You can also say a pair of scissors / a pair of trousers / a pair of pyjamas etc. :

I need a new pair of jeans. or I need some new jeans. (not a new jeans)

 

this man – these men
a woman – some women
a child – many children
one foot —+ two feet
a tooth —+ al] my teeth
a mouse -‘➔ some mice
that sheep -‘➔ those sheep
a fish – a lot of fish

Police is plural:
□ The police want to talk to anybody who saw the accident. (not The police wants)

one

one (= a …)

I need a pen. Have you got one? (one= a pen)
– Is there a bank near here? – Yes, there’s one at the end of this street . (one = a bank)

this one / that one

Which car is yours? This one or that one? (= this car or that car)

the one …

– Which hotel did you stay at? – The one opposite the station.
I found this key. Is it the one you lost?

the … one

I don’t like the black coat, but I like the brown one.
Don’t buy that camera. Buy the other one.

a/an … one

This cup is dirty. Can I have a clean one?
That biscuit was nice. I’m going to have another one.

ones

these/those or these ones / those ones

Which flowers do you want? These or those?

or

These ones or those ones?

the ones …

– Which books are yours? – The ones on the table.
I found these keys. Are they the ones you lost?

the … ones

I don’t like the red shoes, but I like the green ones.
Don’t buy those apples. Buy the other ones.

some … ones

These cups are dirty. Can we have some clean ones?
My shoes are very old. I’m going to buy some new ones.

some and any

Use any in negative sentences:

I’m not going to buy any clothes.
There isn’t any milk in the fridge.
We didn’t make any mistakes.

In most questions (but not all) we use any (not some):

Is there any ice in the fridge?
Has he got any friends?
Do you need any help?

We normally use some (not any) when we offer things (Would you like … ?):

– Would you like some coffee? – Yes, please.

or when we ask for things (Can I have … ? etc.):

– Can I have some soup, please? – Yes. Help yourself.
– Can you lend me some money? – Sure. How much do you need?