Another, other, others and the other
Another coffee, other people, some like it and others don't, the other side of the road.
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Another goes with a singular noun and means "one more" or "a different one". Other goes with a plural or an uncountable noun. Others stands alone, without a noun. The other and the others mean the second one of two, or the rest of a group.
The forms
Form | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
another | a singular countable noun | Can I have another cup of tea? |
other | a plural or uncountable noun | Do you know any other languages? |
others | no noun after it | Some people agree, but others don't. |
the other | a singular or plural noun | Where's the other glove? |
the others | no noun after it | Anna is here. Where are the others? |
Another: one more, or a different one
Another is an + other, written as one word. It goes before a singular noun.
- Would you like another biscuit? (One more.)
- This room is too noisy. Can we have another room? (A different one.)
- Let's meet another day. I'm busy on Monday.
- Incorrect: I need an another pen. This one doesn't work.
- Correct: I need another pen. This one doesn't work.Another already contains an, so don't add a second one.
- Incorrect: We need another chairs for the guests.
- Correct: We need more chairs for the guests. (= extra ones)Another goes with a singular noun. For extra things in the plural, use more.
With a number, another can go before a plural: I'm staying for another two weeks. (= two more weeks.)
Other + plural or uncountable
As an adjective, other never takes -s. Use it before a plural noun or an uncountable noun.
- Other people's children are always better behaved.
- Have you got any other information?
- I like rock, but I listen to other kinds of music too.
- Incorrect: Others people think that it's a bad idea.
- Correct: Other people think that it's a bad idea.Before a noun, other has no -s.
Others: without a noun
Others is a pronoun: it means "other people" or "other things", and no noun follows it.
- Some of the students passed easily. Others found the exam very hard.
- These shoes are too small. Have you got any others?
- Don't worry about what others think.
The other: the second of two
When there are only two, the other is the second one. It can stand alone or go before a noun.
- I've got two brothers. One is a doctor and the other is a teacher.
- My office is on the other side of the street.
- Incorrect: One of my parents is from Kazan, and other is from Minsk.
- Correct: One of my parents is from Kazan, and the other is from Minsk.For the second of two, use the other.
The others: the rest of the group
The other + plural noun, or the others alone, means "all the rest".
- Three of us went to the beach. The other people stayed at the hotel.
- Three of us went to the beach. The others stayed at the hotel.
- Incorrect: Only Tom came. The others people were ill.
- Correct: Only Tom came. The other people were ill. / The others were ill.With a noun, use the other. Without a noun, use the others.
Another is "one more, any one". The other is "the one that is left": This glass is dirty. Can I have another one? I've broken one glass. The other one is fine.
Useful phrases
- the other day = a few days ago: I saw Olga the other day.
- every other = every second one: I go to the gym every other day.
- each other: two people do the same thing to the other one, on the page about reflexive pronouns.
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All B1 rulesPronouns and determiners: all rules