i often get good help on yahoo answers so i'm here again...
The one thing he can't do is...
The only thing he can't do is...
What's the correct one?? Are both of them correct?? If yes, what do you use more often?
And... what does "pon de" means? I often find it in songs like pon de replay (rihanna) and I think it was big city life in which the singer said somethin like "and right no babylon de pon de case"...
2007-08-12 10:28:16 · 17 answers · asked by cynical_edge 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The one thing he can't do is... - Here, "one" is used to refer to a thing that is already implied in the conversation. For example, if we talk about skiing and then we bring "John" into the conversation, we would say, "the one thing he can't do is ski"., meaning that skiing is one of the things he does worst.
The only thing he can't do is... - Here, the "only" is used to illustrate that the person in question can do everything except the "thing" mentioned in the sentence. For example, we are taking about "John" and we could say, "The only thing he can't do is ski".
So the difference between the two clauses is minimal, but does exist. The first sentence uses the nominal adjective "one" as a relative anaphora (look it up), whereas the second uses the adjective "only" to limit the noun "thing" to a unique, singular activity or action.
2007-08-12 11:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by savs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both are correct, but I prefer using "The only thing he can't do is..."
"Pon de" is American slang used by singers. "Pon" is short for upon, so in other words, I think she's trying to say "Play the song again"
2007-08-12 10:44:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would personally say the only thing he can't do is.... but both are ok! and as for the Pon De i think it is like slang for americans thats who seem to say it. Hope this helps!
2007-08-12 10:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by minnie mouse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The one thing he can't do is ... and the only thing he can't do is.. are both correct. I personally would use the latter more often. I'm not keen on rihanna I'm afraid so I haven't a clue what you mean in your second question.
2007-08-12 10:36:32 · answer #4 · answered by PAULA K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"pon de" is not used in Engish, only by singers/songwriters who create their own words because they cannot think of a proper one to fit the song.
2007-08-12 10:32:05 · answer #5 · answered by undercover elephant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are possible in common conversation, but "the only" is more acceptable in written works or formal language. If you are writing an essay, for example, you should never use "the one thing..."
2007-08-12 10:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by silicon_rain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are fine. The song bit means "upon the" just with a caribbean accent.
2007-08-12 10:39:10 · answer #7 · answered by cobra 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both are fine,, I would say I would probably use the 2nd one.
As for pon de?? do you maybe mean ponder ?
ponder is when some one may stop to think for moment, you could say "I stopped to ponder for a moment"..
Any way, good luck..
2007-08-12 10:35:39 · answer #8 · answered by Sabreen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use them both but i would use "the only..."
pon de means play it again
2007-08-12 10:32:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
both are correct, and pon de is french.
2007-08-12 10:42:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋