Referring back: it, they, this and one

Short answer: Referring words point back to something you already named, so you do not repeat the noun. Use it for one thing, they or them for many things, this for the whole idea before, and one for another of the same kind: I have a green bike. It is new. I need a pencil. Give me one. This keeps your writing short and clear.

▶ Open the rule card · ✏️ Practice this rule

At a glance

In short

• it: one thing. they / them: many things.
• one: another of the same kind. this: the idea before.
• Do not repeat the same noun too many times.

What is the rule for “Referring back: it, they, this, one”?

The rule

A referring word points back, so we do not repeat the noun.

How it looks

it → one thing · they / them → many things · one → another of the same · this → the whole idea

What it means

They keep a text short and clear.

When to use it

Use them when you write or speak about the same thing more than once.

How it works

• Find the noun you want to point back to.
• Choose the word: it (one), they or them (many), one (another), this (the whole idea).
• Check that it is clear which noun the word points to.
• Do not repeat the full noun in every sentence.

Examples of “Referring back: it, they, this, one”

• I have a green bike. It is new.
  It = the bike.
• The cups are clean. Put them on the table.
  them = the cups.
• I lost my hat. This made me sad.
  This = losing my hat.
• I need a pencil. Give me one.
  one = a pencil.
• My brother has a dog. It barks a lot.
  It = the dog.
• I bought two books. I read them quickly.
  them = the two books.
• It rained all day. That was why we stayed in.
  That points back to the rain.
• I don’t like the red shirt. I prefer the blue one.
  one = shirt.

Common mistakes with “Referring back: it, they, this, one”

• I have a new bike. The bike is red. The bike is fast. → I have a new bike. It is red and fast.
  Too much repeating is weak.
• The cups are clean. Put it on the table. → The cups are clean. Put them on the table.
  Many cups: them.
• These shoes are old. It is small. → These shoes are old. They are small.
  Many shoes: they.
• I will buy it new. → I will buy a new one.
  One means another of the same kind. It means the same thing.
• I don’t like the red shirt. I prefer the blue one shirt. → I don’t like the red shirt. I prefer the blue one.
  One already replaces shirt.

Exceptions: watch out

• ones
  one has a plural form: I like the red shoes, not the blue ones.

It, this and that

It points back to a thing. This and that point back to a whole idea or a thing you show.

See also: this, that, these, those

Check yourself

1. Replace “the cups”: “The cups are clean. Put ___ on the table.”
   Show the answer

   them Many things after a verb: them.

2. Replace “a pencil”: “I need a pencil. Give me ___.”
   Show the answer

   one Another of the same kind.

3. Fix: “I have a new bike. The bike is red. The bike is fast.”
   Show the answer

   I have a new bike. It is red and fast. Too much repeating is weak.

How to practice “Referring back: it, they, this, one”

The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.

• Practice lesson: Referring back: it, they, this, one

Questions

What if it is not clear what “it” refers to?

Repeat the noun. Clear writing is better than short writing.

What is the difference between “it” and “one”?

It means the same thing you named. One means another thing of the same kind.

Can “this” point to a whole sentence?

Yes: I lost my hat. This made me sad. This points to the whole event.

More Texts and Talk rules

• Have you ever …? Experience: have / has + the past form tells about something you did (or never did) in your life, up to now.
• already, yet, just: already, yet and just go with have / has and tell about things that happened a short time ago.
• Present perfect or past simple?: A finished time (yesterday, last week) needs the past simple. Experience up to now needs have + the past form.
• Advice and rules: should, must, have to: should gives advice. must and have to give rules. After them, use the plain action word.
• unless: unless means if not. It says what could stop something.
• as … as, and comparing actions: as … as says two things are the same. not as … as says one is less. For actions use faster or more carefully.

Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G6: Texts and Talk. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.

Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.

Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30

← Linking sentences: also, however, for example, in the end Telling what someone said →