This document discusses different types of pronouns and their uses: - Personal pronouns like "it" refer back to specific things or people while pronouns like "one" refer back to nonspecific or general things. - Pronouns like "one", "you", and "they" can be used to make general statements about people without referring to a specific person. - In sentences with "to-infinitives", the pronoun "it" can be used as a placeholder subject to put new information at the end of the sentence.

1. Section A

2. When we refer back to specific people or things,
we usually use a personal pronoun like it.
When we refer back to nonspecific things, we
usually use a personal pronoun like one.
I can’t eat this sandwich. Do you want it?
(It refers to a specific sandwich)
I’m making a sandwich. Do you want one, too?
(One refers to another sandwich, not a specific sandwich)

3. We use one to refer back to singular count nouns.
I need a tripod. Does anyone here have one?
Some and any refer back to both
plural nouns and noncount nouns.
We have a new box of discs but some are broken.
I offered her some coffee but she didn’t want any.

4. We often contrast one or some members of a
group with another or others.
One person in my class is from Brazil and
another is from Turkey.
Others refers to plural nouns.
Some people can stop smoking on their own,
while others need help.
Another refers to a singular
noun.

5. Section B

6. We sometimes use one, you, or they to make
general statements about people (not a
specific person).
“Sometimes one pays the most for the things
one gets for nothing” – Albert Einstein
The more you look at the world, the more you
see how people value things differently.
They say that Paris is the most romantic city
in the world.
GRAMMAR TERM: Pronouns that refer to any person
in general are called generic pronouns.
One is more formal than you or they.

7. Section C

8. In sentences with to- infinitives, we can use it as
a placeholder for a subject. (This is often called
an empty subject.) This allows us to put new
information at the end of a sentence where it is
easier to notice.
It was dangerous to go to some of these places.
It’s impossible to do this quickly.
(= to go to some of these places was dangerous.)
(= to do this quickly is impossible.)