English Grammar
OTHER - ANOTHER
The difference between 'other' and 'another'.
- OTHER (adjective)
Other is an adjective meaning 'different' or 'the second of two items'.
Other can be used with singular or plural nouns.
Here are some examples :- There's some water left in this bottle. The other bottle is empty.
- Some children learn quickly but other children need more time.
- I can't find my other shoe.
- Have you got any other questions?
- I’m not going to wear this dress. I prefer the other one.
- These shoes don’t go well with the dress. The other ones look better.
- OTHER/OTHERS (pronoun)
Other can also be a pronoun to refer to things or people. The plural form is others.- 80% of the students arrive on time.
The others (the other students) are always late. - There are two cookies left. You have one and I'll have the other.
- Only half of the guests have arrived. Where are the others?
- 80% of the students arrive on time.
Other can be used before 'one' or 'ones' when the meaning is clear from the text.
- ANOTHER (adjective)
When we use ‘an’ before ‘other’, we write it as one word: another.
Another expresses quantity. It means 'additional' or 'one more'.
We use another with singular nouns: another chair, another day.- There are six people for dinner but there are only 5 plates. We need another plate.
- This cake is delicious. Could I have another slice please?
- Please give me another chance. I promise to try harder.
Another can be used before a plural noun when that noun is preceded by a number, - The investigation will take another two weeks/couple of weeks.
- You’ve already had an ice-cream. You can’t have another one.
- This place isn’t great. Is there another place we could go to?
- I'm not happy with this product. Next time I'll buy another brand.
or words/phrases such as a couple of, few etc.
Another can be used before “one” when the meaning is clear from the preceding text:
Another can also mean ‘an alternative’ or ‘different’:
- ANOTHER (pronoun)
We can use another as a pronoun:- The text is corrected by one person, then edited by another.
- The owner will show up at one time or another during our visit.
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