About us
Our goal is not to overload students with heavy grammar, turning them into philologists, but to teach a real, living language. The one you hear in a store, the one that allows you to communicate, meet people and clearly articulate your thoughts in a foreign language.
sales team
Other and Another in English
26.05.2025
3 minutes to read
Imagine you’re chatting calmly in English and suddenly need to say “another cup of coffee” or “other ideas.” Two almost identical words pop into your head — another and other. Both seem to mean “other,” but they’re used in different situations. This small detail often confuses even those who already speak English well. In this text, we’ll figure out — without boring grammar talk — when to use another and when other, with clear examples from real speech and a few handy tips so you can sound confident like a native speaker.
Table of contents
Other vs. Others
The Other and The Others
Usage Rules
Meaning
Other
Other is an adjective or pronoun without -s, placed directly before plural or uncountable nouns: other books, other information.
Others is only a pronoun, replacing a noun already mentioned: Some people like hiking, others prefer the beach. If there is no noun after the word, use others.
Others is only a pronoun, replacing a noun already mentioned: Some people like hiking, others prefer the beach. If there is no noun after the word, use others.
Use the other when referring to the second or last item of a limited set: I have two cats: one is playful, the other is shy.
Use the others when talking about the remaining items of a known group: Ten students came, the others stayed home. The key idea is a closed, known group.
Use the others when talking about the remaining items of a known group: Ten students came, the others stayed home. The key idea is a closed, known group.
- As an adjective: placed before a noun without an article when we mean “other” in general: other ideas, other people.
- As a pronoun: others replaces an entire group to avoid repeating the noun: Some students are tired, others are excited.
- With the definite article: the other points to a specific object from a limited number: I have two pens: one is blue, the other is black.
- Plural: the others means “the rest” of a known set: Five tickets are sold, the others are still available.
The word other means “different,” “another,” “the rest.” It describes an object, person, or idea that differs from those already mentioned. For example: other countries — other countries (not the ones we were talking about), the other side — the other side. In conversation, it’s often used as a noun: some like tea, others prefer coffee — some like tea, others prefer coffee.
Other is the word we use to talk about something different from what’s already been mentioned. It’s used when comparing objects, people, or groups: the other room — another room, other people — other people. It doesn’t indicate quantity; it highlights difference or belonging to another category. Other can be an adjective (other books), a pronoun (some like tea, others prefer coffee), or a noun in expressions like the other. The key idea: other is about difference — “not this one, but a different one,” not about adding one more like another does.
Usage Rules
Meaning
Another
- With countable nouns in the singular: I need another ticket — I need one more ticket.
- As a pronoun without a noun: I’ve eaten two apples, but I could eat another — I’ve eaten two apples, but I could eat one more.
- With expressions of time or distance: Wait another five minutes — Wait five more minutes.
- In the sense of “one more of the same kind but a different item”: Let’s try another way — Let’s try a different way.
The main idea is to add or repeat, not simply to show difference. For example: Can I have another coffee? — We want another cup, not a different kind of drink. Let’s play another game — Let’s play one more game. Unlike other, which emphasizes contrast, another almost always refers to the singular.
Another means “one more,” “additional,” and is used when we talk about something of the same type that is added to what we already have or when we want to repeat an action. It highlights quantity and always refers to the singular: another cup of tea — another cup of tea, let’s watch another episode — let’s watch another episode. It can be an adjective before a noun (another idea) or a pronoun replacing the noun (I’d like another, please). Often, another expresses a new attempt or a different choice: give it another try, find another way.
Difference Between Other and Another
Both words translate as “other,” but their meaning and usage differ.
- Other emphasizes difference: “different,” “not this one,” “the rest.” We use it to show contrast or belonging to another category: other people — other people (not the ones mentioned), the other side — the other side of a limited set. It can be an adjective, a pronoun, or combined with the article the to indicate specific items.
- Another always implies adding, repeating, or one more of the same kind. It means “one more,” “additional,” and almost always goes with singular countable nouns: another cup of tea, another chance, another reason. It can also mean “additional” in time or distance: wait another five minutes, walk another mile. As a pronoun, it replaces the noun when it’s clear from context: Can I have another?
This website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience.
