a copy of one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a copy of one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a duplicate or reproduction of a single item or document. Example: "Please send me a copy of one of the reports for my review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His wife owned "thousands" of Guo Peis, and they lived in a "royal palace," or at least a copy of one, on the grounds of a water park.

The New Yorker

It was not possible to obtain a copy of one report on bioaccumulation and two papers on persistence that had been identified during the review of the literature, so these studies could not be assessed.

Environmental Sciences Europe

In fact I often keep a copy of one of her books on my desk, along with Virginia Woolf.

The Guardian

By Herbert Asbury The New Yorker, October 8 , 1927P. 17 Elmer Davis writes his name on a copy of one his novels in a bookstore and askes the clerk the price of it.

The New Yorker

Wingo posted a copy of one of the Amazon Lending emails on ChannelAdvisor's blog on Thursday.

Huffington Post

I've got a copy of one of her paintings done on canvas by an artist in Thailand.

The Guardian

One interviewee told us that he had a copy of one of the relaxation files on his computer and used it regularly.

BMC Health Services Research

Only 12.0% reported specific training in environmental history taking, and 12.0% reported having a copy of one of two widely-published texts on children's environmental health.

BMC Pediatrics

Morrison gave me a copy of one of the first books she worked on, "Contemporary African Literature," published in 1972, a groundbreaking collection that included work by Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Léopold-Sédar Senghor, and Athol Fugard.

The New Yorker

I remember sitting up in bed, with a copy of one of Willard Price's Adventure series in my hands, and on my lap a colossal book of facts such as The Encyclopaedia of Natural History.

The Guardian

She has already won two Rita Awards (the romance-novel industry's highest honor), and a copy of one of her more obscure works, "Ladies Mann," recently sold for $1,000 on eBay.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a copy of one", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'one' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "I need a copy of one of the invoices" is clearer if the invoices have been previously mentioned.

Common error

A common mistake is using "a copy of one" without a clear referent for 'one'. To prevent confusion, make sure the item being copied has been explicitly stated or is easily understood from the context. For instance, instead of saying "Can I get a copy of one?", specify, "Can I get a copy of one of the contracts?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a copy of one" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates that a duplicate or reproduction of something is being referred to. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a copy of one" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It serves the purpose of referring to a duplicate or reproduction of a specific item within a larger set. Usage is widespread across different types of sources, including News & Media and Science, showing its versatility. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates what 'one' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. By providing various examples and identifying related phrases, Ludwig empowers users to confidently use "a copy of one" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a duplicate of one

Replaces "copy" with "duplicate", emphasizing an exact reproduction.

a version of one

Substitutes "copy" with "version", indicating a specific form or edition.

a reproduction of one

Uses "reproduction" instead of "copy", highlighting the act of recreating something.

a facsimile of one

Replaces "copy" with "facsimile", emphasizing an exact visual likeness.

an instance of one

Employs "instance" to suggest a particular occurrence or example.

a transcript of one

Uses "transcript" instead of "copy", referring to a written or printed version.

a sample of one

Replaces "copy" with "sample", implying a representative portion.

a counterpart of one

Replaces "copy" with "counterpart", indicating something that corresponds to or closely resembles another.

a specimen of one

Uses "specimen" to refer to a particular example used for study.

a rendering of one

Substitutes "copy" with "rendering", suggesting an interpretation or artistic representation.

FAQs

How can I use "a copy of one" in a sentence?

You can use "a copy of one" when you're referring to a specific item out of a group that you need a duplicate of. For example, "I need "a copy of one" of those reports.".

What can I say instead of "a copy of one"?

Alternatives include "a duplicate of one", "a version of one", or "a reproduction of one", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a copy of one of the" followed by a plural noun?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "A copy of one of the" is typically followed by a plural noun to indicate you want a duplicate from a group. Example: "I'd like "a copy of one" of the photographs."

What's the difference between "a copy of one" and "the copy of one"?

"A copy of one" implies that you're selecting one item from several to make a duplicate. "The copy of one" suggests you're referring to a specific duplicate that already exists or has been previously mentioned.