My sister's one blew up

I reckon "My sister's [microwave understood] exploded" is perfectly adequate. Even if you have several sisters, the apostrophe makes things clear.

Would someone be more inclined to slip in the word 'one' during a conversation when the you obviously don't see the apostrophe?

It wouldn't be very likely that more than one sister's microwave blew up, I suppose...

But she could have had several which blew up...

In which case you'd have to say 'ones' if you were going to put it in.

I was taught that for formal writing purposes, if you can cross a word out without losing any of the meaning of a sentence, then you should cross it out. The 'one' in the example given is a prime example. Easy to say, in the speed of the moment though. So I reckon it depends on the context whether it really matters. I certainly don't always speak with perfect grammar or fluency.

Isn't it interesting how we all find different things unbearable? Personally, I agree that the one is probably superfluous but it doesn't bother me. But don't get me started on less v fewer - or indeed any random ungrammatical public notices.

Agree withAbsent and Tegan - the 'one' is superfluous, but is common and probably acceptable in speech.

I would not have used it. It seems clumsy and I would guess it was incorrect.

I am not a grammar expert but it should surely be obvious that it is microwaves that are being discussed.
I "processed" that that as if it had been spoken and not written, so I didn't notice the apostophe. Must be my funny brain!

Ana: I would almost certainly have launched into a much wordier explanation it she had several, something along the lines of: "My sister had several, and they exploded too".

But I admit that I do sometimes have a tendancy to use more words than strictly necessary!

Well, yes, I agree that one probably would feel the need to expand a bit about such a remarkable state of affairs!

Well I don't know about microwaves, but I have just finished sorting out a cupboard and discovered I possess 3 irons
#howdidthathappen

The one could be retained if the sentence was recast 'The one my sister has exploded' for example - personally I would dump the 'one'.

Another irritation is the use of 'those ones'...

How many exploding sisters were there? Just the one?

Ah! Perhaps that's a good reason to use 'one', Elegran...

Jane I bought a bargain iron in Tesco's (£4.99!) to replace the old (but still working) one I had had for years. Then I found the one I had bought a week previously (Tesco's, £4.99!) and put way in the cupboard beside the old one.

I think I am the one getting old.

Elegran

Elegran - I do that with CDs - I have several duplicates opn my shelves...

Glad I'm not the only one.