'it' or 'one'

[tzfujimino]

Hello.:-D

I have a question as to the usage of 'it' and 'one'.
Please look at the sentences below.

1. A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we use it.
2. A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we use one.

#2 works for me, but I'm not so confident about #1.
Is #1 OK?

Thank you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

May I say "while using it"?

 

[Peter Chan]

May I say "while using it"?

I prefer to say "A cellphone is very useful, we should be careful when we own one".

When you write "it", it sounds you are refering to a particular cellphone.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Dear Mr. Chan,

You have to say "Not a teacher" in your answers unless you are a teacher.

Not a teacher.

 

[Peter Chan]

Dear Mr. Chan,

You have to say "Not a teacher" in your answers unless you are a teacher.

Not a teacher.

Thanks, but I don't see this requirement in the forum rules.

 

[Rover_KE]

Thanks, but I don't see this requirement in the forum rules.

It comes under Rules for specific sections of the forum.

'Replying in the Ask a Teacher section'.

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language.

If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.

Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice house the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion.

 

[Rover_KE]

May I say "while using it"?

Matthew, please wait until the thread has been answered before asking supplementary questions.

 

[Rover_KE]

I prefer to say "A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we own one".

When you write "it", it sounds like you are referring to a particular cellphone.

`

 

[Rover_KE]

Please look at the sentences below.

1. A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we use it.
2. A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we use one.

They are both fine.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find the use of the singular in this particular context quite unnatural. I would say "Cellphones are very useful but we have to be careful when using them".

 

[MikeNewYork]

I have no problem with the singular.

 

[Peter Chan]

Originally Posted by Peter Chan I prefer to say "A cellphone is very useful, but we should be careful when we own one".When you write "it", it sounds like you are referring to a particular cellphone.

`

I think use "so" (for this reason) instead of "but" will make the sentence sounds more natural.

 

[emsr2d2]

I think [strike]use[/strike] using "so" (for this reason) instead of "but" will​/would make the sentence [strike]sounds[/strike] sound more natural.

You have deleted Rover's quote so I have no idea what "for this reason" refers to.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Peter Chan referred to Rover_KE's Post#8.

 

[tzfujimino]

I find the use of the singular in this particular context quite unnatural. I would say "Cellphones are very useful but we have to be careful when using them".

Thank you for your suggestion, ems.:-D
I understand that it's much safer to use the plural to express 'generic reference'.