Another, Other, Others and the Other

← Grammar Hub
B1Self-study or with a tutor

Another, Other, Others and the Other

By the end: I can ask for an additional item and distinguish unspecified alternatives from the remaining members of a set.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Before you start

You try one seat, but it is uncomfortable. How could you ask for a different one?

Useful background: Articles, singular/plural nouns and one/ones.

One more or a different one

Use another with a singular countable noun, or on its own when the noun is understood. It can mean one additional item or a different item; context tells us which.

Could I have another cup?

This pen doesn’t work. Have you got another?

Preserved lesson scene for Do you have other colours? People and essential props isolated on white.
Do you have other colours?Other + plural noun refers to alternatives.

Different people or things

Use other before a plural noun. Use others as a pronoun without a following noun. These forms do not automatically mean every remaining member of a known set.

Do you have other sizes?

Some guests walked; others took a taxi.

The remaining item or set

Use the other for the remaining one of two, or before a known remaining noun phrase. Use the others for all the remaining members of an identified set when no noun follows.

I have two gloves. Where is the other one?

Two seats are free; the others are taken.

The others refers to the rest of a known set

Five chairs in the setTwo are blueThe remaining three are red
Keep the nounTwo chairs are blue; the other chairs are red.

Other describes chairs, so it stays singular in form.

Replace the nounTwo chairs are blue; the others are red.

Others replaces chairs. The points to the remaining members of this known set.

The example includes all five chairs. Other chairs without the could refer to different chairs beyond this set, rather than identifying all three that remain.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Compare the meaning and form; the model is one possible answer.

1. Complete: This table is full. Let’s find ___ table.

Compare a model and explanation

another

Another introduces a different singular table.

2. Complete: Do you have ___ questions?

Compare a model and explanation

other

Other precedes the plural noun questions.

3. Correct: Some students wrote notes; others students recorded the talk.

Compare a model and explanation

Some students wrote notes; other students recorded the talk.

Others cannot directly modify students; alternatively omit the second students.

4. There are two exits. One is locked. Complete: Use ___ exit.

Compare a model and explanation

the other

The set of two identifies the remaining exit.

5. Six postcards are on the desk. One is mine. Say that all the remaining cards are yours without repeating postcards.

Compare a model and explanation

One is mine; the others are yours.

The others refers to the five remaining cards in this known set.

6. Use a pronoun: Some guests left early; other guests stayed.

Compare a model and explanation

Some guests left early; others stayed.

Others replaces the plural noun phrase.

7. Explain the two possible meanings of Can I have another sandwich?

Compare a model and explanation

It can request one more sandwich or a different sandwich, depending on the situation.

Another does not determine addition versus replacement by itself.

8. You have three possible dates. Monday is impossible; you want to discuss the two remaining dates. Use other before the noun and then as a pronoun.

Compare a model and explanation

Let’s discuss the other dates. Monday is impossible, but the others may work.

The identifies the remaining dates in the known set.

A short conversation

Listen first if you can, then open the transcript when useful.

Open the conversation transcript

A: This jacket is too small. Do you have other sizes?

B: Yes. Would you like to try another jacket in the same colour?

A: There are two blue ones here. I’ll try the other one.

B: Of course. The others on that rail are green.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have their own score.

1. What does another mean here?
Read the listening transcript

I ordered one coffee and finished it. Then I asked for another because I still had an hour to wait.

2. How many keys open the side door in this description?
Read the listening transcript

There are two keys. This one opens the front door. The other opens the side door.

3. How many confirmed?
Read the listening transcript

Six people signed up. Two cancelled; the others confirmed.

Preserved lesson scene for I have two gloves. Where is the other one? People and essential props isolated on white.
I have two gloves. Where is the other one?The other one identifies the remaining item in a known pair.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer in each situation. Your score is out of eight.

1. Complete: Could I borrow ___ pencil? This one is broken.
2. Complete: Are there ___ ways to do it?
3. Choose the sentence using a pronoun correctly.
4. Two gloves: one is on the chair. Where is…
5. Of eight boxes, three are empty. All remaining boxes are full. Choose the matching sentence.
6. Which pair correctly distinguishes a noun phrase from a pronoun?
7. Someone says We need another chair. What must the context clarify?
8. Complete: I have three options. This one is cheapest; ___ options are faster.

Use it in your own words

Speaking task 1

Role-play returning a fictional shirt that is too large. Ask about other sizes, request another and compare it with the first.

Reveal a possible response

Do you have other sizes? Could I try another shirt? This one fits better, but I preferred the colour of the other one.

Success check: Use other before a noun and identify which item the other refers to.

Speaking task 2

Describe a set of six objects with one special item, two similar items and three remaining items.

Reveal a possible response

One notebook is new. Two are almost full, and the others are empty. I need another notebook for my next course.

Success check: Make the set and all remaining items easy to identify.

Speaking task 3

Explain the difference between Some people left; others stayed and Some people left; the others stayed.

Reveal a possible response

Others mentions different people without necessarily accounting for everyone. The others identifies all remaining people in a group we already know.

Success check: Explain the effect of the without claiming that the first sentence excludes a complete division.

Take it with you

I can ask for an additional item and distinguish unspecified alternatives from the remaining members of a set.

Explore the Grammar Hub