the very one

USAGE SUMMARY

"the very one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is precisely the one you are referring to. For example: "I had many options, but that was the very one I chose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

There's an old, steep track of rubble leading out of this pass – which might conceivably be based on the very one made by Hannibal's engineers.

The Guardian

The photograph on the invitations is the very one Archer sent to Jamieson.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a specific type of mid-latitude cyclone, called a Nor'easter - the very one that impacted the Northeast this past weekend on February 8-9.

The Washington Post

"That Mark McGwire?" "The very one.

The New York Times - Sports

Possibly it's the very one that ran in the San Francisco Chroniclein 1973.

University of California, Berkeley

The evaluation system he now mocks is the very one he insisted be put in place.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Those fish might the very ones on our plates!

Huffington Post

These pillars, on which a solution will be built, are the very ones being eroded.

The Guardian - Opinion

Federer had 17. 27 Minutes it took for Federer to take the very one-sided first set, which he won 6-3.

Independent

In spite of, or perhaps because of, the very one-sided nature of Lord Hutton's criticisms, voters will be left perplexed.

The Guardian

But they are the very ones being hammered by this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very one" to create emphasis and clarity, ensuring your audience understands you are referring to a specific item or person and not a similar alternative. It's most effective when the context already establishes multiple possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "the very one" in sentences where the item or person is already uniquely identified. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily emphatic or even unnatural in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very one" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically used for emphasis. It modifies a noun (often implied) to highlight that it is precisely that item or person being referred to. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize that something is precisely the one being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very one" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for emphasizing a specific item or person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts. When writing, it is best to use "the very one" when you need to make it clear that you are referring to a specific item or person and to avoid overusing it in simple sentences where the specificity is already clear. Alternatives include "that specific one" and "that particular one". Remember, "the very one" adds emphasis and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very same

A slightly more emphatic version using "same" instead of "one".

that specific one

Emphasizes specificity using "specific" instead of "very".

that particular one

Uses "particular" to highlight the distinctness of the item.

the identical one

Highlights that it's the same, not just similar.

the precise one

Focuses on the exactness of the match.

the selfsame one

An older, more formal way to say the same one.

none other than

Introduces something/someone surprising or noteworthy.

the one and only

Highlights uniqueness and exclusivity.

that exact item

Emphasizes that it is the specific item, not another.

the actual one

Indicates authenticity and reality.

FAQs

How can I use "the very one" in a sentence?

Use "the very one" to emphasize that you are referring to a specific item or person, distinguishing it from other possibilities. For example, "That's the very one I was telling you about!"

What phrases are similar to "the very one"?

Alternatives include "that specific one", "that particular one", or "the precise one" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "the very one" when referring to something specific?

No, it's not always necessary. "The very one" adds emphasis, so use it when you want to highlight that it's precisely that item or person, and no other.

What's the difference between "the very one" and "the same one"?

"The very one" emphasizes specificity and sometimes surprise, while "the same one" simply indicates identity. You'd use "the very one" to highlight that it's that particular item, whereas "the same one" just confirms it's not a different item.