One of the Thing vs. One of the Things – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “one of the thing” and “one of the things,” use “one of the things.” The phrase means one item from a group, so “things” must be plural after “one of the.” “Thing” is correct elsewhere as a singular noun, but it does not fit this standard grammatical pattern.
Because compound forms can change meaning, compare this distinction with Everything vs. Every Thing when choosing between similar expressions.
One of the thing or things – Which is Correct?
“One of the things” is the correct standard phrase. It refers to a single member of a larger group. Although one is singular, the noun after of the must usually be plural because the phrase identifies one item from multiple items.
For example, “Patience is one of the things you need” means that patience is one item among several qualities or requirements. By contrast, “one of the thing” is not grammatical in ordinary English because thing is singular after a structure that indicates a group.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the group test: if you can replace the phrase with “one item from several,” use the plural noun. Since one item comes from several things, the correct phrase is “one of the things.”
Another useful pattern is to remember that one of the is normally followed by a plural noun:
- one of the books
- one of the students
- one of the reasons
- one of the things
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| thing | Singular noun | A single object, fact, event, or idea | That is the one thing I need. |
| things | Plural noun | More than one object, fact, event, or idea | That is one of the things I need. |
How to Use Thing
Thing is a singular countable noun used for one object, idea, event, fact, or unspecified matter. It is common in both casual and formal English, although more precise nouns are often preferable in highly formal writing. For example, a formal document may use matter, item, issue, or fact instead of the general word thing.
Example 1: The most important thing is to remain calm.
Example 2: I noticed one strange thing during the experiment.
Example 3: Honesty is one thing that the organization values highly.
What are the different forms of Thing?
Thing is a regular noun. Its plural form is things, formed by adding -s. The singular form normally takes a determiner such as a, the, this, or one when referring to a specific item.
- Singular: one thing, a thing, the thing
- Plural: two things, several things, one of the things
The word can also appear in common expressions such as the right thing, one thing at a time, and the thing is.
Etymology of the word Thing
Thing comes from the Old English word þing, which originally referred to an assembly, meeting, matter, or legal proceeding. It is related to similar Germanic words, including the Scandinavian ting, meaning an assembly or court. Over time, its meaning broadened to include an object, idea, event, or general matter.
How to Use Things
Things is the plural form of thing. It refers to two or more objects, ideas, circumstances, activities, or facts. In the phrase one of the things, the plural form is essential because the phrase selects one member from a larger collection.
Example 1: One of the things I appreciate most is your honesty.
Example 2: We packed the things we would need for the trip.
Example 3: One of the things that makes this book memorable is its unusual setting.
What are the different forms of Things?
Things is already the plural form of thing. It does not have a separate plural form. The related singular and plural forms are:
- Singular: thing
- Plural: things
When things follows one of the, it usually refers to a group from which one item, quality, or circumstance is being identified. For example, “One of the things she enjoys is gardening” identifies gardening as one activity among several.
Etymology of the word Things
Things has the same historical origin as thing. The ending -s is the regular English plural marker, showing that the word refers to more than one object, idea, event, or matter.
Related Concepts
Understanding noun number and partitive phrases makes the difference between one of the thing and one of the things easy to recognize.
- Singular and plural nouns: A singular noun refers to one item, while a plural noun refers to two or more. Thing is singular, and things is plural.
- Partitive phrases: A partitive phrase identifies a portion or member of a group. Structures such as one of the books and one of the things require a plural noun after of the.
- Determiners: Words such as one, the, a, and several help specify whether a noun refers to a particular item or group.
- Subject-verb agreement: In “One of the things is missing,” the subject is one, so the verb is singular: is, not are.
Examples from Media and Literature
The plural phrase one of the things appears frequently in storytelling, journalism, interviews, and everyday commentary because speakers often identify one feature from a larger set.
- In a novel: “One of the things she remembered most clearly was the sound of rain against the windows.”
- In a film review: “One of the things that makes the movie effective is its restrained performance style.”
- In a news report: “One of the things officials are examining is the condition of the bridge.”
- In a personal essay: “One of the things I learned from traveling was the value of patience.”
- In an interview: “One of the things I enjoy about the work is collaborating with other people.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- One of the ______ I enjoy most is reading before bed. (thing/things)
- That is the one ______ we must remember. (thing/things)
- She listed several ______ that needed to be repaired. (thing/things)
- One of the ______ on the table belongs to me. (thing/things)
- There is one ______ I would like to discuss. (thing/things)
Answer Key
- things — “One of the things” selects one item from a group.
- thing — “The one thing” refers to a single item.
- things — “Several” requires a plural noun.
- things — “One of the” is followed by a plural noun.
- thing — “One thing” refers to a single item.
Thing Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| object | A physical item that can usually be seen or touched |
| item | A single object or entry in a group or list |
| matter | A subject, issue, or situation under discussion |
| idea | A thought, concept, or mental suggestion |
Things Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| objects | Multiple physical items |
| items | Separate objects or entries considered together |
| matters | Issues, subjects, or situations |
| details | Individual facts or features of a larger subject |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “one of the thing” grammatically correct?
No. In standard English, the phrase should be “one of the things.” The plural noun is required because one of the identifies a single member of a larger group.
Question 2: Why is “things” plural after the singular word “one”?
The word one identifies the selected member, while things names the larger group. Therefore, “one of the things” means one item from several things.
Question 3: Is “thing” still a correct word?
Yes. Thing is a correct singular noun. You can say “one thing,” “the thing,” or “a thing,” but the standard phrase is “one of the things,” not “one of the thing.”
Conclusion
Use “one of the things” when describing one item, idea, quality, or event from a group. Use thing by itself when referring to a single item, as in “one thing” or “the one thing.” Pro Tip: Choosing the correct plural form in common phrases makes your writing sound polished and protects your professional reputation.
