The words other and another are often confused. Although the meaning of both is the word "other", they are used in different situations.
Difference between other and another
Check out the information below and know when to use other and another.
when to use other
we use the word other when we want to reference something or someone different than previously mentioned.
Examples:
- There are two dresses left. I can buy one and you can buy the other. (There are two dresses left. I can buy one and you can buy the other.)
- THE: "I loved this yellow skirt.” (I love this yellow skirt.)
B: "I prefer the other.” (I prefer the other one.)
THE.: "The blue one?" (The blue one?)
B: "Yes, the blue one.” (Yes, in blue.)
The word other can also be used in the plural.
When we employ others in a sentence, we can save words and avoid repeating terms that have already been referred to previously.
Take a look at the examples below.
Examples:
- Some people like buying clothes. Others prefer to spend their money traveling. (Some people like to buy clothes. Others prefer to spend their money traveling.)
- One student set the rules and the others followed him. (One student set the rules and the others followed.)
when to use another
we use the word another when we want to refer to something or someone additional, of the same kind as something or someone already mentioned.
Examples:
- This computer is broken. I want to use another one. (This computer is broken. I want to use another one.)
- If you liked the cake that much, you can eat another piece. (If you liked the cake that much, you can have another piece.)
IMPORTANT: if the noun we want to refer to is plural, we must always use the word other. Compare the examples below
Examples:
- I’d like to listen to other songs. (I would like to hear other songs.)
- Could you bring me other napkins? (Could you bring me other napkins?)
We can conclude that the difference between another and other is that despite the meaning of the two words being "other", other is used to refer to something or someone different from what has already been mentioned and another is used to refer to something additional.
expressions with other and another
Check out the list below and see some expressions with other or another.
expressions with other
- Any other: some other. Example: Did any other team call you? (Has any other team called you?)
- add are... than others: some are more... What others. Example: Some are more expensive than others. (Some are more expensive than others.)
- among others: between others. Example: He likes playing soccer, basketball, rugby, hockey, volleyball, among others. (He enjoys playing football, basketball, rugby, hockey, volleyball, among others.)
expressions with another
- another one: another; plus another. Example: I loved this popsicle! Could you bring me another one? (I loved this popsicle! Could you bring me one more?)
- From one... to another: on one... to another. Example: She constantly moves from one apartment to another. (He constantly moves from one apartment to another.)
Video
Watch the video below and consolidate what you've learned about using other, another and others.
Exercises
complete the sentences with other, another or others.
1. Some exercises are more difficult than __________.
a) other
b) another
c) others
d) another one
e) the other
Correct alternative: c) others
2. They had one biological child and adopted two _________.
a) other
b) another
c) others
d) another one
e) the other
Correct alternative: c) others
3. Relax. Tomorrow is __________ day.
a) other
b) another
c) others
d) another one
e) the other
Correct alternative: b) another
4. I didn’t like this T-shirt. Can I see the _________ one you brought before?
a) other
b) another
c) others
d) another one
e) the other
Correct alternative: a) other
5. Would you like _________ glass of water?
a) other
b) another
c) others
d) another one
e) the other
Correct alternative: b) another
