these/those ones (these/those)

Many speakers add ones after demonstratives: "I like these ones." In most contexts that extra word is redundant. Drop it for clearer, more concise English.

This page gives a short rule, quick diagnostics, plenty of ready-to-use wrong/right fixes, and register-specific examples for work, school, and casual speech.

Quick rule

Drop "ones" unless you need it for contrast or to avoid ambiguity. In formal writing prefer "these/those" or "these/those + noun"; in casual speech "ones" appears often but is usually unnecessary.

These/those already act as pronouns; adding "ones" usually repeats the idea.
Keep "ones" for a clear contrast (the red ones) or to avoid repeating a long noun phrase.
In professional or academic text, prefer "these/those" or "these/those + noun" over "these/those ones".

Core explanation: why "ones" is usually redundant

"These" and "those" replace a noun phrase (for example, those books or these cookies). Adding "ones" repeats the placeholder: "these ones" ≈ "these items ones."

If the referent is clear, "these" or "those" is enough.

Correct: I like these. / I like those.
Redundant: I like these ones. (understandable, but wordy)

Wrong: I'll take these ones.
Right: I'll take these.

When keeping "ones" helps (clarity and contrast)

Use "ones" when removing it would create ambiguity, or when you need a clear contrast marked by an adjective.

Clear contrast: The blue shoes are on sale, but the red ones are cheaper.
Formal alternative: The blue shoes are on sale, but the red shoes are cheaper (or simply: the red ones).
Avoid vague "those ones": If multiple object types are visible, write "those documents" instead of "those ones."

Usage: I prefer the red ones, not the blue.
Usage: Instead of "those ones," write "those documents" when needed for precision.

Real usage and tone: formal, neutral, and casual (work/school/casual examples)

Formal writing: drop "ones" and prefer explicit nouns when needed. Neutral writing: drop "ones" unless context is crystal clear. Casual speech: "ones" is common and acceptable.

Work - Formal:
Wrong: Please review these ones attached.
Right: Please review the attached documents. / Please review these attached documents.
Work - Neutral: Wrong: Let's revisit those ones from Q2.
Right: Let's revisit those from Q2. / Let's revisit those findings from Q2.
Work - Casual: Slack: Are these ones ready for QA? (fine in chat) Better in reports: Are these ready for QA?
School - Formal:
Wrong: These ones show a trend.
Right: These show a trend. / These results show a trend.
School - Neutral: Wrong: Those ones with larger error bars were excluded.
Right: Those with larger error bars were excluded.
School - Casual: Class chat: I liked those ones you showed. (fine spoken) Better written: I liked those examples you showed.
Casual - Shopping: Wrong: Do you want these ones?
Right: Do you want these? / Want these shoes?
Casual - Text: "Those ones are hilarious 😂" is common in chat; prefer "Those are hilarious" in writing.
Casual - Spoken: "Grab those ones by the door" is conversational; in written instructions, use "Grab those by the door."

Examples: many wrong/right pairs you can copy

Below are common incorrect sentences and clean rewrites. Copy the Right sentence when editing.

Tip: If context already names the noun, drop "ones". If not, use "these/those + noun".

Wrong: These ones are broken; can you fix them?
Right: These are broken; can you fix them?
Wrong: I don't like those ones at the back.
Right: I don't like those at the back.
Wrong: Are these ones the final candidates?
Right: Are these the final candidates?
Wrong: Please discard those ones with stains.
Right: Please discard those with stains.
Wrong: I prefer these ones more than the others.
Right: I prefer these to the others.
Work - Wrong: I've attached these ones from the meeting.Work -
Right: I've attached these from the meeting. / I've attached the meeting notes.
School - Wrong: These ones support the hypothesis.School -
Right: These support the hypothesis. / These data support the hypothesis.
Casual - Wrong: Want these ones?Casual -
Right: Want these? / Want these sneakers?
Wrong: Hand me those ones on the top shelf.
Right: Hand me those on the top shelf.
Work - Wrong: Can you forward those ones to stakeholders?Work -
Right: Can you forward those to stakeholders? / Can you forward those files to stakeholders?

Rewrite help: how to fix your sentence in 3 steps (plus examples)

Use this quick checklist and the rewrites below.

Step 1: Identify what "these/those" refers to. If explicit, drop "ones".
Step 2: If ambiguous, replace with "these/those + noun" (these results, those files).
Step 3: Match tone - use concise forms in formal writing; conversational forms in speech.

Rewrite:
Original: These ones show inconsistent results. →
Formal: These results are inconsistent. → Neutral: These show inconsistent results.
Rewrite:
Original: Can you send those ones? → Precise: Can you send those files? → If context is clear: Can you send those?
Rewrite:
Original: I like those ones better. → Neutral: I prefer those. →
Formal: I prefer those options.
Rewrite:
Original: Please keep these ones for me. → Better: Please keep these for me. → If needed: Please keep these documents for me.
Rewrite:
Original: Those ones are the damaged items. → Better: Those are the damaged items. → Clearer: Those damaged items are being replaced.
Rewrite: Original (ambiguous): Are these ones final? → Clear: Are these final versions? → Or: Are these the final candidates?

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone; context usually makes the right choice clear.

Memory trick: the 3-Cs checklist

Before you write or speak, ask: Context, Clarity, Concision.

Context - Is the referent already named or visible? If yes, drop "ones".
Clarity - Would removing "ones" confuse the reader? If yes, add the noun (these results).
Concision - Are you in formal writing? If yes, prefer the shorter form.

Usage: Email to client: "Please see these charts." → drop "ones".

Grammar notes: demonstratives, pronouns, and "one/ones"

"This/that/these/those" can replace a full noun phrase. "One" and "ones" replace a noun mentioned earlier: "the red dress" → "that one".

When a demonstrative already stands in for the noun, adding "ones" normally repeats information and is unnecessary.

Correct patterns: I like that. / I like that one. Both grammatical; the shorter form is usually preferred when clear.
Common error: "that ones" is wrong - use "that one" (singular) or "those" (plural).

Usage: Wrong: That ones are broken.
Right: Those are broken. / That one is broken.

Hyphenation, spacing, and punctuation notes

No hyphens: don't write "those-ones". "These", "those", and "ones" are separate words when used together (though the combination is usually avoidable).

After removing "ones", check spacing and punctuation so you don't leave extra spaces or orphaned punctuation.

Do not hyphenate: those-ones → incorrect. Use "those ones" (if you must), but prefer "those".
Typo trap: "I like these . " can happen if you delete "ones" but leave an extra space or period. Fix: "I like these."

Similar mistakes to watch for

Watch for related errors: singular/plural mismatch, using "one" for people, or unnecessary words that add no meaning.

Wrong: that ones →
Right: that one / those (fix number agreement).
Don't use "one" to refer to a specific person casually - use "person" or "they" when clarity matters.
Avoid extra words that add no meaning: "Do you want these ones?" → "Do you want these?"

Usage: Wrong: This ones are new.
Right: These are new.

FAQ

Are "these ones" correct English?

Understandable and common in speech, but usually redundant. In formal writing drop "ones" and use "these" or "these + noun" for clarity.

When should I use "the ones" instead of "those ones"?

"The ones" refers back to a specific subgroup already identified (for example, the ones with stains). It's often clearer than "those ones" in writing.

Is "those ones" slang or dialect?

Common in many dialects and casual speech. Not standard in formal writing, where "those" or "those + noun" is preferred.

How do I rewrite "Can you send those ones?" for an email?

Be specific: "Can you send those files?" If the context is obvious, "Can you send those?" works. For formal clarity, name the noun: "Can you send the files from the meeting?"

Will removing "ones" ever change the meaning?

Rarely. Removing "ones" mostly reduces emphasis on "items." If removal introduces ambiguity, restore clarity with "these/those + noun" (for example, "these results").

Quick check before you send

Do a three-second check: Is the referent named? Would meaning be lost? Do you need a formal tone? If answers are no, drop "ones".

Reread aloud or paste one or two suspect sentences into a checker - small fixes like removing "ones" polish your writing quickly.