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Does one refer to oneself as "one"?

30 replies

TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/04/2021 12:30

After listening to numerous cut glass accents sharing reminiscences of Prince Philip, I am pondering use of "one".

Growing up in Ireland, it would have been seen as anglo-posh bordering on the comic. But now I am thinking about it, the French have "on" and the Germans have "man", and it does fulfil a useful role. I feel Prince Philip's cronies overuse it where "I" would suffice, but there are times where I would like to use it, but...I just don't think I could!

English people, can you say it and sound natural? Is it something that will become less and less common until it dies out?

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 12/04/2021 16:08

Using it instead of 'you', in general for people - fine in writing, a bit posh orally. Using it instead of 'I' - extremely posh and a bit ridiculous.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/04/2021 16:10

""One looked forward to it" means that any person in the same position would look forward to it (which is, of course, an opinion and not a statement of fact!)"

But it doesn't mean that in the sentence given, does it. It's obviously about a particular person.

Diesse · 12/04/2021 16:14

One does, especially when writing about oneself. Much more elegant. Not so much in speech, but still do.

AlwaysLatte · 12/04/2021 16:15

My husband does, I don't.

the80sweregreat · 12/04/2021 18:03

My friend is quite posh and refers to herself as ' one' in a sentence. I don't think anything of it really. It's correct to say this I believe?

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