an original one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an original one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is unique or has not been done before. For example, "I'd like to hear your ideas for the project - come up with an original one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

No matter how many dotty people may believe this theory, it is not an original one on her part.

The Guardian

If you really want an original one, buy one secondhand or buy the one from last season.

WikiHow

Renzo Piano's remodelled City Gate – on the site of an original one dating back to 1569 and counting as the city's fifth reincarnation of the structure – finally completed in 2014 and marked Valletta's arrival as hip destination.

Forbes

He insists the idea for Avatar is an original one.

The Guardian - Film

He had a point - although not necessarily an original one.

The Guardian - Sport

It was hardly an inspiring vision — or an original one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Additionally, Susan Boyle will star in an original one-hour television special exclusively on TV Guide Network.

Huffington Post

"A Letter to Sam from Bella," an original one-act play by Broadway director Aaron Frankel, is based on the Spewack personal papers from the Theater Arts Collection of Columbia's Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Columbia University

"This is an original one-of-a-kind refinished object," she said.

The New York Times

MAHWAH Mahwah Public Library First Ladyy of the World: Eleanor Roosevelt," an original one-woman play with Judy Berstein.

The New York Times

"Charles Lindbergh: The Lone Eagle" and "Shakespeare N. Haarlem," part of an original one-person show series.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for emphasis, use "an original one" to highlight the novelty or uniqueness of an idea, approach, or item.

Common error

Avoid using "an original one" when the context already implies uniqueness. For example, instead of saying "That's an original and unique one", simply state "That's an original idea."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an original one" functions as a referential phrase, pointing back to a previously mentioned noun and emphasizing its unique or novel quality. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an original one" is a common and correct phrase used to emphasize the uniqueness or novelty of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it appears frequently across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, writers should avoid redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply uniqueness. Consider alternatives like "a novel approach" or "an innovative solution" for more formal settings. The phrase serves to highlight distinctiveness, appreciating creativity and innovation in various forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a one-of-a-kind instance

Stresses the irreplaceability of something.

a novel instance

Replaces 'original' with 'novel', emphasizing newness and uniqueness.

a unique occurrence

Focuses on the distinct and unparalleled nature of something.

a groundbreaking example

Highlights the innovative and precedent-setting aspect.

an unprecedented event

Emphasizes that something has never happened before.

a pioneering endeavor

Stresses the act of initiating or creating something new.

a first-of-its-kind item

Highlights that the item is unique and without precedent.

an inventive creation

Focuses on the creativity and imagination behind something.

a distinctive specimen

Highlights something that is clearly different from others.

a singular case

Emphasizes the exceptional and unmatched nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an original one" in a sentence?

You can use "an original one" to refer back to a noun previously mentioned, emphasizing its unique nature. For example, "I asked for creative ideas, and she presented "an original one"."

What's the difference between "an original one" and "a unique one"?

While both phrases convey uniqueness, "an original one" often emphasizes the novelty or source of creation, whereas "a unique one" simply highlights its distinctiveness. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.

What can I say instead of "an original one" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "a novel approach", "an innovative solution", or "a groundbreaking example" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "an original one", or can I sometimes omit "one"?

In many cases, omitting "one" is grammatically correct and stylistically preferable, particularly if the noun it refers to is clear from the context. For instance, instead of "That's an original one", you can say "That's original".