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gtivan

#370593 Sat, 26 May 07 02:49 AM

Hi, I have 2 questions

QUESTION No. 1

Which one is the correct way to say it

1. a ) One only has to watch these great DVDs to be reminded how great this TV series was. ( somebody was reviewing a DVD )

1.b ) You have to watch these great DVDs to be reminded how great this TV series was .

I'm a little bit confused, I found ( 1.A) example while browsing the internet , If this example is correct, how do you call it in grammar, is this some kind of a third person thing ? , to me sounds more correct example No. ( 1.B ), Example 1.B , was my idea to rewrite the same sentence .

I found some other examples on the internet :

A phrase one only hears in LA: My school's reality tv show premiered tonight.

One only has to go to Oprah's website to see these ...

One only has to check what is on Larry King Live to find the latest case on ...

Is this "one (only ) has to ....." a correct way to refer to oneself ?

I'm trying to learn english by myself , and this is the only way I can ask these kind of questions .

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Question No. 2

What is the meaning of this phrase " you really have little ways to go " ?

One person was saying to another, " You really have little ways to go, when it comes to dealing with people . "

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Thanks for your help.

gtivan

Joined on Sat, Sep 20 2003

USA

New Member (32)

Grammar, Learn English

Feebs11

#370603 Sat, 26 May 07 02:58 AM

"One" is used to allow the writer to be objective about something. I would avoid using it in personal writing. It is fine for reviewers or where you [one] wish(es) to be detached. Your examples are all correct usage.

#2 - I know a phrase "you have a little way to go" - meaning that you have not quite achieved something. Your example rephrased "You really have a little way to go when it comes to dealing with people" - is saying that "you" are not good at working with people.

Feebs11

Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006

Senior Member (4,991)

Marius Hancu

#370639 Sat, 26 May 07 04:21 AM

1.a) is correct. It's impersonal, because of one.

1.b) isn't the complete equivalent: you need just. It's also a bit less impersonal, using the you, which is more frequent in AmE.

My impression is that you need to study just.

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2. See the section Way or ways? here:
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/way.html

BTW, you should not leave a space before your periods and question marks.