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Other, another, or others
Another adds one more of something, other sits before plural nouns or after the, and others replaces the noun entirely.
Quick rule
One more? Another. Before a plural noun, or after the or my? Other. More than one, with no noun after it? Others.
Goes before a plural noun (other people) or after the, my, or some: the other day, my other sister.
One more, or a different one, with a singular noun: another coffee. It's written as one word.
A pronoun: it stands alone, with no noun after it. Some like it; others don't. The others means the rest.
How to choose
| Question | other | another | others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does a noun come after it? | SometimesSometimes | SometimesSometimes | No |
| Can it go with a singular noun? | SometimesSometimes | Yes | No |
| Can it come after the? | Yes | No | Yes |
Why it trips people up
The choice depends on what comes next. Another takes a singular noun (another day), other takes a plural one or follows a determiner (other days, the other day), and others is a pronoun that replaces the noun altogether.
How each one works
Other
With a plural noun
Other people think it's too expensive.
The other day: recently
I saw her the other day.
After my: the second of two
Where is my other shoe?
Another
One more
Can I have another cookie?
A different one
Let's meet another day.
With a number: another two
I need another two weeks.
Others
Others, with no noun
Some students walk to school; others take the bus.
The others: the rest
Ana is here, but where are the others?
People in general
Be kind to others.
What comes next
other plus plural noun
There are other ways to do it.
the/my plus other plus singular noun
Use the other door.
another plus singular noun
Let's try another restaurant.
others, with no noun after it
This box is heavy, but the others are light.
Set phrases
Other
- on the other hand
- used to introduce a different point of view
- every other day
- on alternate days, skipping one each time
Another
- one after another
- in a series, with each one following the last
Others
- among others
- used to show that a list is not complete
Almost the same
Can I have another one?
One more, any of them.
Can I have the other one?
The remaining one of two.
Can I have the others?
All the rest.
In a conversation
- A:
These cookies are great. Can I have another?
- B:
Sure. Take the chocolate ones; the others are for Grandma.
- A:
Are there other flavors?
- B:
Just vanilla, in the other box.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Let's find an other parking lot.
Right: Let's find another parking lot.
Another is written as one word.
Wrong: Treat the others the way you want to be treated.
Right: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
For people in general, use others without the. The others means the rest of a specific group.
Memory trick
Another hides an a inside: one more. Others gets the -s because it stands in for a plural noun. Alone and singular, it is the other.
It depends
- Each other
- Each other shows a two-way action: They love each other. It has its own page: each other vs one another.
- Another + number
- With a number, another can take a plural noun: another two weeks means two more weeks.
FAQ
Others or other: which is correct?
Other comes before a noun and doesn't take -s there: other people. Others replaces the noun: Some people agree; others don't.
Other or another?
Another is one more of something singular: another chance. Other goes with plurals or after a word like the: other chances, the other chance.