which one vs which ones

Both 'which one' and 'which ones' are correct, but there is a difference in usage. 'Which one' is used when referring to a singular item or choice, while 'which ones' is used when referring to multiple items or choices.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 10, 2025 • 6597 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a singular item or choice.

"which one"

Use 'which one' when you are asking about a single item or choice among several options.

Examples:

Which one do you prefer, the red shirt or the blue one?
I can't decide which one to choose.

Show examples from the web [+]

We are finding it difficult deciding on which one to buy.
We are finding it difficult deciding on which one to buy.
It is not evident which one of these obligations would prevail.
Guess which one of your favorite actors got the second lead in Urban Nomad.
Let's see which one of our suspects golfs at Annapolis Valley.
Guess which one i'd miss most.
I wonder which one is more dependable.
I can't decide which one of your hates i like better.
Although I'm not sure which one's asking the questions.
Heaven only knows to which one Kristatos took the ATAC.
Brent, come over here and tell us which one you prefer.
So I don't really know which one of these she'd like.
I wonder which one turns you on more, Chester.
And it was a battle deciding which one she would keep.
And it was a battle deciding which one she would keep.
Wonder which one's Blaine's room.
I wasn't sure which one Mary Angela was.
They kept joking about which one of my suitcases was the heaviest.
Three guesses which one's Vitali.
Method through which one human demonstrates intellectual superiority over others.

Alternatives:

which option
which item
which choice
which alternative
which possibility

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to multiple items or choices.

"which ones"

Use 'which ones' when you are asking about multiple items or choices among several options.

Examples:

Which ones are the best in your opinion?
I need to know which ones you want to order.

Show examples from the web [+]

...with motion sensors revealing which ones are active.
You can see which ones they are with this.
Mum knows which ones I like.
I got all the origins on these chocolates, but there's no way to tell which ones they're tasting.
I'll tell you which ones rip off one another.
There's no way to know which ones are still alive.
We don't know which ones he tried to copycat.
I only wish I knew which ones would kill Adam.
I'm not sure which ones she needs.
I didn't know which ones you were reading these days.
You never know which ones are still carrying the current.
Doesn't matter which ones as long as they're highly classified.
We have no way of knowing which ones have cameras.
No clue which ones are the delivery guys.
Find the ticket, see which ones are ours.
Have other such projects already received funding, and if so, which ones? 5.
Now you start over, drawing five cards, deciding which ones you want to keep...
The Proposed Decision lists nine Milestones, but does not establish which ones form part of the first selection phase.
If so, which ones? 2.
How many Member States - and which ones - are set to meet this deadline, or have already met it? 2.

Alternatives:

which options
which items
which choices
which alternatives
which possibilities

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which one vs which ones

"which one"

"which ones"

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