Another, other, others, the other, the others

Another, other, others, the other, the others - Exercises

These exercises focus on Another, other, others, the other, the others

1. Another

Another is used to refer to one more of something or an additional item. It is always singular and typically used with countable nouns.

• Meaning: one more / an additional one

• Use: with singular, countable nouns

• Examples:

• "I’d like another cup of coffee, please." (one more cup)

• "He bought another ticket to the concert." (an additional ticket)

• "Do you have another suggestion?" (one more suggestion)

2. Other

Other is used to refer to additional or different items. It can be used with both singular and plural nouns but always needs a noun after it.

• Meaning: additional / different

• Use: with singular or plural nouns (with a noun following it)

• Examples:

• "Do you have any other ideas?" (additional ideas)

• "I like this shirt, but I want to see other options." (different options)

• "We need to find an other solution." (another or different solution)

3. Others

Others is used to refer to multiple additional or different items or people in a group. It is used without a noun following it, standing on its own.

• Meaning: additional or different items/people in a group

• Use: replaces a plural noun

• Examples:

• "Some students finished early; others are still working."

• "I’ll take these shoes; you can have the others."

• "Some people like jazz, while others prefer rock."

4. The Other

The Other refers to one specific remaining item or person when there are only two items or people. It can be used with a noun following it or as a standalone phrase.

• Meaning: the remaining one of two

• Use: with singular nouns, can stand alone if context is clear

• Examples:

• "I have two bags; one is red, and the other is blue."

• "I took one cookie, and she took the other."

• "You can wear this shirt, and I’ll take the other."

5. The Others

The Others refers to the rest of a specific group of items or people. It is always plural and used to talk about specific remaining items or people in a known group.

• Meaning: the rest of a specific group

• Use: replaces a plural noun when the remaining items/people are known

• Examples:

• "Only two students left early; the others stayed until the end."

• "Some cookies are here, and the others are in the kitchen."

• "I watched two movies; the others weren’t available."

Quick Comparison Table

Summary of Usage

1. Another: Use for one more or an additional item, with singular nouns (e.g., "another drink").

2. Other: Use for different or additional items, with nouns following it (e.g., "other ideas").

3. Others: Use for multiple different items in a group, without a noun following (e.g., "some like sports; others prefer reading").

4. The Other: Use for the one remaining item of two (e.g., "the other car").

5. The Others: Use for the rest of a specific group (e.g., "some left, the others stayed").

Examples in Context

1. Another: "I’d like another slice of pizza, please."

2. Other: "She likes movies, but she has other hobbies too."

3. Others: "Some cars are parked here, while others are in the garage."

4. The Other: "Of the two dogs, I’ll adopt the other one."

5. The Others: "Some books are on this shelf; the others are still packed."

FAQ

Can "another" be used with plural nouns?

No, "another" is only used with singular nouns, as it means "one more." For plural nouns, use "other" or "others."

What is the difference between "other" and "others"?

"Other" is followed by a noun (e.g., "other ideas"), while "others" stands alone, replacing a plural noun (e.g., "Some students finished, but others are still working").

How do I know when to use "the other" vs. "the others"?

Use "the other" when there’s only one item left out of two. Use "the others" for the rest in a larger group.

Is "other" always followed by a noun?

Yes, "other" is usually followed by a noun ("other options"). When it’s not, we use "others" instead.

Can "others" mean "different people"?

Yes, "others" often refers to additional or different people in a group, like "Some people enjoy sports; others prefer art."