VIDEO LESSON: another? another? other? others? an other?
Other and Another – How can I use them correctly?
The Basics:
- We use ‘other’ to speak about something different. A different object.
- We can use ‘other’ with singular, plural and uncountable nouns.
- We use ‘another’ to speak about something additional. We add something.
- We can only use ‘another’ with a singular countable noun.
More details:
OTHER + singular or plural noun = something different
We use other + noun to speak about a different object. We are usually comparing two or more objects.
My friend Mary is Chinese. My other friend Tanya, is from India. (singular noun)
I have two friends. One friend is named Mary. I have a different friend. Her name is Tanya.
Johanna is from Germany. My other friends are from Hungary. (plural noun)
Johanna is one friend. I have different friends too. They are from Hungary.
I saw two coats in the shop. I bought the red one. The other coat was blue. (singular noun)
There were two coats. One was red. There was a different coat too. It was blue.
I saw ten coats in a shop. I bought a red one. The other coats were either blue or green. (plural noun)
There were many coats. I bought a red one. There were different coats too. They were either blue or green.
You can use the computer in the teacher’s room. The other computer in the student’s room is broken. (singular noun)
One computer is in the teachers’ room. There is a different computer in the students’ room.
You can use a computer in the teachers’ room. The other computers in the students’ room are broken. (plural noun)
There are many computers in the teachers’ room. You can use one. There are also different computers in the students’ room.
You can also use an uncountable noun.
I always make sushi with sticky rice. Other rice like basmati, doesn’t stick well together.
I use sticky rice. There is also different rice like basmati.
I try to drink light beer. Other beer is too calorific.
I drink light beer. There are different types of beer, but they are too high in calories.
Many people say that people should try and get eight hours of sleep per night. However, other evidence suggests that this isn’t always necessary.
Many people say one thing. There are different people who say something else.
ANOTHER + singular countable noun = additional
(ANOTHER is always written as one word. It is never an other.)
I have a sister who lives in Vancouver. I have another sister who lives in Seattle.
One sister lives in Vancouver. An additional sister lives in Seattle.
I usually have a coffee at 8 a.m. After I have another cup of coffee in the afternoon.
I drink one coffee in the morning. Then I have an additional cup of coffee in the afternoon.
I had so much work to do, but my boss gave me another assignment.
I had many things to do. My boss gave me an additional task.
We started off with one bottle of wine and then had another (bottle), and another and another….
First we had one bottle of wine. We then had many additional bottles.
Would you like another piece of cake?
You already ate one. Do you want an additional piece?
We cannot use determiners with ‘another’. If you need to use a determiner, use ‘other’.
She is my another friend.
☑ She is my other friend.
This is the another product.
☑ This is the other product.
Who was that another person?
☑ Who was that other person?
