"Another" means one more of the same (singular and indefinite); "other" covers the rest, plurals, or specific references.
Adjective/pronoun. Used to refer to the rest of a group, to different people or things, or in plural. Can be adjective ("other people") or pronoun ("the others").
I have two dogs. One is black and the other is white.
Tengo dos perros. Uno es negro y el otro es blanco.
Some students passed, but other students failed.
Algunos estudiantes pasaron, pero otros estudiantes reprobaron.
She lives on the other side of the city.
Ella vive al otro lado de la ciudad.
Adjective/pronoun. Means "one more" or "a different one", always singular and indefinite. Comes from "an + other" fused. Never used with plural nouns.
Can I have another coffee, please?
¿Me puede traer otro cafe, por favor?
This shirt is too small. Do you have another one?
Esta camisa es muy pequena. ¿Tiene otra?
I need another five minutes to finish this.
Necesito otros cinco minutos para terminar esto.
Common mistake
Very common error: "I want other coffee." is wrong. "Other" cannot stand alone before a singular noun without an article. Correct: "I want another coffee." Another frequent error: "Do you have another options?" is wrong. "Another" never goes with plural nouns. Correct: "Do you have other options?"
Trick to remember it
Quick trick: if the noun is singular and indefinite (no "the"), use "another". If it is plural or you use "the", use "other". Another = an + other = singular indefinite only. The other / other + plural = "other".
Quick rule
Another + singular indefinite noun. Other + plural or with "the".
Did you know?
"One another" and "each other" are near synonyms. Traditionally "each other" is for two people and "one another" for three or more, but modern speakers often use "each other" for both. "Another" can also precede numbers: "another three days" (three more days).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
This coffee is cold. Can I have _____ one, please?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Some students prefer morning classes, but _____ students prefer evening classes.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Another + singular indefinite noun. Other + plural or with "the".
Very common error: "I want other coffee." is wrong. "Other" cannot stand alone before a singular noun without an article. Correct: "I want another coffee." Another frequent error: "Do you have another options?" is wrong. "Another" never goes with plural nouns. Correct: "Do you have other options?"
Quick trick: if the noun is singular and indefinite (no "the"), use "another". If it is plural or you use "the", use "other". Another = an + other = singular indefinite only. The other / other + plural = "other".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy