As a linguistic expert, I am well-versed in the intricacies of the English language, including the subtleties of grammar and usage. It is my pleasure to delve into the question of whether "ones" is used in a plural or singular context.

In English, the word "ones" is typically used as a plural pronoun to refer to a group of items or individuals that have been previously mentioned or are understood from the context. It is a way to avoid repeating the same noun or noun phrase. The use of "ones" is quite flexible and can be adapted to fit the context in which it is used.

The phrase "one of the" is a common construction that precedes a plural noun, indicating that the subject is a member of a larger group. For example, in the sentence "Pistachio is one of the few flavors that appeal to me," the word "flavors" is plural, and "ones" would not be used in this context. Instead, the phrase "one of the" is used to introduce the subject "Pistachio," which is a singular noun. The verb that follows, "appeal," is also singular to agree with the singular subject "Pistachio."

However, when the context requires a pronoun to refer back to a plural noun, "ones" can be used. For example, if we were discussing a variety of flavors and wanted to refer to them again without repeating "flavors," we might say, "Some of these flavors are quite unique, and these ones are my favorites." Here, "these ones" refers back to the plural noun "flavors."

The choice between a singular or plural verb following "ones" depends on the subject that "ones" is replacing. If "ones" is replacing a singular noun, a singular verb should be used. Conversely, if "ones" is replacing a plural noun, a plural verb is appropriate. This is in line with standard subject-verb agreement rules in English.

In summary, "ones" is generally a plural pronoun and is used to refer to a group of items or individuals. The verb agreement with "ones" hinges on the number of the noun that "ones" is standing in for. It is crucial to maintain grammatical consistency and clarity in writing and speech to ensure that the intended meaning is conveyed effectively.

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So, the noun following the phrase "one of the" is always a plural noun, whereas use of verbs as singular or plural will entirely depend upon the subject of the statement, i.e. singular verb for singular subject and plural verb for plural subject. For example: Pistachio is one of the few flavors that appeal to me.Jan 19, 2014read more >>