another + singular countable nounUse this for one more or a different single item.
Another, Other, Others, The Other
B1Use another for one more singular thing, other for plural or uncountable nouns, others without a noun, and the other for the remaining specific one.
What you'll learn
- Choose another before a singular countable noun.
- Use other before plural and uncountable nouns.
- Use others when the noun is already understood.
- Use the other for the remaining specific one.
- Read the noun cue to choose the correct form.
Structure
other + plural noun / uncountable nounUse this before plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
othersUse others alone when the noun is already understood.
the other + singular noun / the otherUse this for the remaining specific one, often when there are two.
Build a sentence
Cue
Noun set
anothercup
Can I have another cup of coffee?
Use another with one more singular countable noun.
When to use
One more item
Ask for one more thing of the same type: another coffee, another question, another day.
Different people or things
Point to additional or different plural things: other options, other people, other ideas.
No noun repeated
Skip the noun when it is clear from the context: Some rooms are full, but others are empty.
The remaining one
In a pair or clear set, name the second known item: One child is asleep; the other child is reading.
Markers
one moresingular nounplural noununcountable nounno noun after itthe remaining one
In contrast
vs all-both-neither-either
Another / other / others / the other point to additional or remaining people and things. Either / neither make a choice between two options.
Common mistakes
Wrong
We need another chairs for the meeting.
Correct
We need other chairs for the meeting.
Another goes with one singular countable noun, not with a plural noun.
Wrong
Others people want to speak first.
Correct
Other people want to speak first.
Use other before a noun. Others stands alone without a following noun.
Wrong
Some files are ready, but other are not.
Correct
Some files are ready, but others are not.
When no noun follows, use others, not other.
Wrong
One key is on the desk, other key is in my bag.
Correct
One key is on the desk, the other key is in my bag.
For the second specific item in a pair, use the other.
Wrong
I don't like this jacket. Show me others one.
Correct
I don't like this jacket. Show me another one.
One tells you the noun idea is singular, so use another one, not others one.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the meaning is more, another can go with plural nouns. ❞
Another means one more single item. With plural nouns, use other or some other depending on the sentence.
❝ Others is just a stronger form of other, so I can use it before nouns too. ❞
Others is not used before a noun. It replaces the noun when that noun is already clear.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_ANOTHER_WITH_SINGULARw5Use another with one more singular noun
Use another before a singular countable noun when you mean one more or a different one of the same type.
USE_OTHER_WITH_PLURAL_OR_UNCOUNTABLEw5Use other with plural or uncountable nouns
Use other before plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns when you mean different additional people or things.
USE_OTHERS_WITHOUT_NOUNw4Use others when the noun is not repeated
Use others as a pronoun when the noun is already clear and you do not say it again.
USE_THE_OTHER_FOR_THE_LAST_ONEw4Use the other for the remaining one or side
Use the other when two are involved and one remains, or when the listener can identify the second one clearly.
CHOOSE_BY_NOUN_OR_NO_NOUNw5Choose the form by singular noun, plural noun, or no noun
Look at what comes next: singular noun, plural or uncountable noun, or no noun. That cue tells you which form fits.