Other, Another & Others
B1 · IntermediateDeterminers & QuantifiersAnother, other, and others all mean 'a different one' or 'one more' — the difference is whether a noun follows, and whether you mean any extra one or a specific remaining one.
What you'll learn
- Another: one word (an + other), always with a singular countable noun — or standing alone
- Other: before a plural or uncountable noun (other books, other advice)
- Others: stands alone, plural, no noun after it
- The other(s): the specific remaining one(s) from a known, closed set
The core idea
Another, other, and others all point to something different or additional. Another is literally 'an' + 'other' fused into one word, so it only goes with a singular noun (or alone). Other goes before a plural or uncountable noun. Others stands completely alone, replacing a plural noun.
Another: one more, one word
Another combines 'an' and 'other' into a single word, so it's used only with singular countable nouns — never with plural nouns, and never split into 'an other.'
"Can I have another cup of coffee?" — one more cup, singular.
"This shirt doesn't fit. Do you have another one?" — another can also stand alone, replacing the noun.
Other + plural/uncountable noun
Other goes before a plural or uncountable noun when you mean 'additional' or 'different' ones from an open, unspecified set.
"Do you have any other questions?" — other before the plural noun questions.
"I need some other advice." — other before the uncountable noun advice.
Others: standing alone
Others stands by itself, with no noun after it — it replaces a plural noun that's already clear from context.
"Some students like math; others prefer science." — others replaces 'other students.'
"I've read a few of his books, but not the others." — here, 'the others' means the specific remaining books.
The other(s): the specific one(s) left
Add 'the' when you mean a specific remaining item or items from a known, closed group — not just any extra one.
"I have two sisters. One lives in Kyiv, and the other lives in Lviv." — the other means specifically the second, remaining sister.
"There are five apples. I'll eat one now and save the others for later." — the others means specifically the remaining four.
Real English
Watch out
Another is always one word — never split it into 'an other.'
Another only goes with a single item; for more than one extra item, use other + plural noun.
When nothing follows, use others (with an s), not other by itself.
With exactly two things, the second one is 'the other' — a specific, known item — not 'another,' which suggests any additional one from an open set.
Real life — Trying on clothes
"This one's too small. Do you have it in another size?"
"Let me check. We also have a few other colors, if you're interested."
"Sure, show me the others."
"Here you go — this is the last one, and here's the other option we have."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct word
Can I have ___ cup of coffee?
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct word
I don't like this shirt. Do you have ___ one?
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct word
Some students like math; ___ prefer science.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct word
I have two sisters. One lives in Kyiv, and ___ lives in Lviv.
Exercise 5 · Fix the mistake
Fix the mistake:
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct word
There are five apples. I'll eat one now and save ___ for later.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct word
Do you have any ___ questions?
Exercise 8 · Complete the sentence
Complete: This coffee is cold. Can you bring me ___ one? (one word)
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: Some people like tea; ___ like coffee. (one word, standing alone)
Exercise 10 · Build the sentence
Exercise 11 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
This book is boring. Let's read ___ one.
You learned
- Another: one word, one more — only with a singular noun, or alone.
- Other + plural/uncountable noun: additional or different ones from an open set.
- Others: stands alone, replacing a plural noun.
- The other(s): the specific remaining item(s) from a known, closed set.
- Never write 'an other' — another is always a single word.
Related grammar lessons
No, None & None of
Learn the difference between no (before a noun), none (standing alone), and none of (with a specific group) — plus why English never doubles a negative.
Other Quantifiers
Round out your quantifiers with most/most of, several, plenty of, and a number of vs. the number of — the words you need for talking about amounts beyond some, any, and much/many.
Enough
Learn how to use enough with nouns, adjectives, and adverbs — and the one word-order rule that trips up almost every learner.
Both, Either & Neither
Learn both, either and neither for talking about two things — both for the two together, either for one of the two, and neither for not one nor the other.