the very same ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very same ones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that you are referring to the exact items or people previously mentioned. Example: "These are the very same ones I saw at the store last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The Old World artisans and ateliers that Ralph Lauren has sourced around the globe to produce the fine detail work for his fashion collections are often the very same ones he calls on to produce his furniture line.

The New York Times

Yes, these are your cousins who were rooting for you to risk life and limb and fight the Green Revolution for them as they watched on satellite TV, sometimes the very same ones who advocated invasion of your country to liberate you.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the dishes on the menu are the very same ones we enjoyed at his other restaurants, like canelones de cigalas (Norwegian lobsters wrapped in pasta and bathed in a delicate white sauce), dorada a la sal (gilt-head bream baked under a crust of sea salt), and a crisp, exceptionally delicate apple tart.

The New York Times - Travel

-- in this arena and accepting them) and his sensitivity towards the plight of others (which I have personally witnessed) should be emulated by his peers, the very same ones who don't agree with his politics or his stance on Modern Orthodoxy.

Huffington Post

More specifically, it is hypothesized that susceptibility genes, perhaps the very same ones identified in children, act to moderate the influence of life experiences on adults' abilities to care for their offsprings.

Plosone

I made a bunch of mistakes, the very same ones that I now go around warning people to avoid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

When told it was a Mondo track and the very same one on which Maurice Green, the world's fastest man, had sped across less than 24 hours earlier, Tameika seemed surprised, but not at a loss for words.

The New York Times - Sports

And, as Neal Kaytal and Laurence Tribe argued in the Yale Law Journal in 2002, the Bush order "makes the jurisdictional question (whether someone is subject to a military trial at all) the very same one as the question on the merits (whether the person is guilty of a war crime)." The Nazi saboteurs were tried immediately, in a single trial.

The New Yorker

The same government that prospered from the enslavement and state-sanctioned rape and sexual exploitations of black women to produce the (slave) economy is now the very same one that will afford a black woman the status of being on money instead of serving as or producing it.

Huffington Post

"I remember I kept looking at the moon, telling myself it is shining here, and it is shining at home too — the very same one," she says.

The New York Times

That is, if it wasn't the very same one the German chancellor wore to celebrate Germany's victory over Greece during Euro 2012.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very same ones" to emphasize a direct connection or identity between items or people mentioned at different points in your writing. It adds a touch of emphasis beyond simply saying "the same ones".

Common error

Avoid using "the very same ones" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Consider using "the same ones" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very same ones" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun (explicit or implied). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as an intensifier to emphasize identity. It specifies and highlights that the items or individuals being referred to are exactly those previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very same ones" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the identity of previously mentioned items or individuals. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness. It's commonly found in News & Media and Science, and it serves the purpose of clarity and emphasis. While perfectly acceptable, it's best to avoid overusing it in informal contexts, where simpler alternatives like "the same ones" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "the very same ones" when you need to highlight that you're referring to the exact same entities, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the identical ones

Replaces "very same" with "identical" for a more formal tone, still indicating exact equivalence.

the very identical ones

Combines both 'very' and 'identical' for amplified emphasis.

those very identical ones

A slight variation for greater emphasis.

the selfsame ones

"Selfsame" is a more archaic synonym for "very same", adding a touch of formality or emphasis.

those exact ones

Substitutes "very same" with "exact" to highlight precision in identifying the items.

the precise ones

Similar to 'exact', but puts even more emphasis on accuracy.

the self-identical ones

More formal version, indicating a philosophical identity concept.

the aforementioned ones

Used when referring back to items or people previously mentioned, creating a formal tone.

the very same objects

Replaces “ones” to use the word “objects”.

the ones previously mentioned

Explicitly states that the items were mentioned before, useful for clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "the very same ones" in a sentence?

Use "the very same ones" to emphasize the identical nature of items or people previously mentioned. For example, "These are "the very same ones" I saw at the store last week."

What can I say instead of "the very same ones"?

You can use alternatives like "the identical ones", "those exact ones", or "the aforementioned ones" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the same ones" or "the very same ones"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""the very same ones"" adds more emphasis. Use it when you want to strongly highlight that you are referring to the exact items or people.

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

"The same ones" simply indicates that you're referring to things previously mentioned. "The very same ones" adds emphasis, suggesting a notable or surprising equivalence.