one of them

USAGE SUMMARY

"one of them" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to a group of things or people (usually more than two). For example, "My students always have great ideas, and I'm sure one of them will find the solution to this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of them refused.

The New York Times

Seventy-four of them, anyway.

The New York Times

One of them disappears.

The New Yorker

One of them was Capt.

The New York Times

One of them is fear.

The Economist

One of them nodded yes.

The New York Times

One of them is breakfast.

Independent

One of them threatened suicide.

The New Yorker

One of them is here.

The New York Times

One of them is mobility.

Forbes

One of them just died.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly defines the group to which "one of them" refers to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Some books are better than others; one of them is great", specify which books you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "one of them" when the referent is unclear or distant in the text. This can confuse readers and weaken your writing. Always make sure the group being referenced is readily identifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of them" functions as a pronoun phrase, specifically a partitive pronoun. It refers to a single entity selected from a previously identified group. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one of them" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a single member of a previously mentioned group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable part of a sentence in written English. The analysis of example sentences from Ludwig shows that "one of them" is frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. To ensure clarity, always make sure the referent group is clearly defined in your writing. While versatile, avoid using "one of them" if it creates ambiguity. When alternatives are needed, consider using "a member of the group" or "an individual among them" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a member of the group

Replaces "one" with "a member" for a more formal tone and emphasizes belonging to a group.

an individual among them

Focuses on the person as an individual within the larger group.

part of that set

Uses "set" to refer to a collection of items, emphasizing the mathematical concept of belonging.

represented in that collection

Focuses on the aspect of being present or accounted for within a collection.

included in that number

Highlights the inclusion within a numerical count.

amongst those present

Highlights the presence within a group of people.

belonging to those

Emphasizes the aspect of ownership or affiliation with a group.

a single instance thereof

A very formal and somewhat archaic way of indicating one item from a collection.

a participant therein

Implies involvement or activity within a group or event.

a specimen from that lot

Uses "specimen" and "lot" to refer to a sample from a larger collection, suggesting a scientific context.

FAQs

How do I use "one of them" correctly in a sentence?

Use "one of them" when you want to refer to a single member of a previously mentioned group. For example, "I have several friends, and "one of them" is a doctor".

What phrases can I use instead of "one of them"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a member of the group", "an individual among them", or "part of that set".

Is it ever incorrect to use "one of them"?

It can be incorrect if the group you are referring to is not clearly defined or previously mentioned in the text. Clarity is key to using "one of them" effectively.

What is the difference between "one of them" and "each of them"?

"One of them" refers to a single member of a group, while "each of them" refers to every member of the group individually. For example, "One of them is coming to the party" versus "Each of them is bringing a gift".