English grammar
The one(s) who / whoever
Say "the one(s) who" and "whoever".
From the scene Whoever arrives late…
In short
Use the one who or the ones who for a known person or people. Use whoever for anyone at all.
Your turn
Which one goes with specific people already known (they)?
Options: the ones who are coming · the one who doesn't talk · the one who always complains
Show answer
specific people already known (they) → the ones who are coming
How it works
The one who, the ones who point to a specific person or people already known: the one who doesn't talk to your uncle.
Good to know
For someone not specific yet (anyone who might), use whoever + verb: whoever arrives late, with whoever can stand him.
a specific person already known (she) the one who doesn't talk
Nuria
The one who doesn't talk to your uncle?
¿La que no habla con tu tío?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) to your uncle?
Options: The ones who are coming · The one who always complains · The one who doesn't talk
Show answer
Nuria
The one who doesn't talk to your uncle?
¿La que no habla con tu tío?
specific people already known (they) the ones who are coming
Nuria
And the ones who are coming from Guadalajara?
¿Y los que vienen de Guadalajara?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) from Guadalajara?
Options: the ones who are coming · the one who doesn't talk · the one who always complains
Show answer
Nuria
And the ones who are coming from Guadalajara?
¿Y los que vienen de Guadalajara?
a specific person already known (he) the one who always complains
Nuria
And Don Ramón? He's the one who always complains.
¿Y Don Ramón? Es el que siempre se queja.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And Don Ramón? He's (blank).
Options: the one who always complains · the one who doesn't talk · the ones who are coming
Show answer
Nuria
And Don Ramón? He's the one who always complains.
¿Y Don Ramón? Es el que siempre se queja.
nobody in particular yet whoever can stand him
Tomás
We'll seat him with whoever can stand him.
Lo sentamos con quien lo aguante.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
We'll seat him with (blank).
Options: whoever can stand him · the one who doesn't talk · the ones who are coming
Show answer
Tomás
We'll seat him with whoever can stand him.
Lo sentamos con quien lo aguante.
nobody in particular yet whoever arrives late
Nuria
Well, whoever arrives late sits with Don Ramón.
Pues el que llegue tarde se sienta con Don Ramón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank) sits with Don Ramón.
Options: whoever arrives late · the one who doesn't talk · the ones who are coming
Show answer
Nuria
Well, whoever arrives late sits with Don Ramón.
Pues el que llegue tarde se sienta con Don Ramón.
Common mistake
Not Whoever or The ones here. She (aunt Rosa) — a specific person, already mentioned.
The one who doesn't talk to your uncle?
¿La que no habla con tu tío?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a specific person already known (she) | the one who doesn't talk |
|---|---|
| specific people already known (they) | the ones who are coming |
| a specific person already known (he) | the one who always complains |
| nobody in particular yet | whoever can stand him |
| nobody in particular yet | whoever arrives late |
More lines from the story
- TomásThe ones coming with my mum, at the big table.Los que vienen con mi mamá, en la mesa grande.