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Another/ The other

Referring to one more or the rest

milk and cookies
 

 

A vs. Another (count noun)
ONE

We use one to refer to the first item. (We may or may not know how many items are available – any cookie.)
SINGULAR UNSPECIFIC — DETERMINER

one cookieWould you like a cookie?  (any cookie)
Yes, I'd like a cookie.
SINGULAR UNSPECIFIC — PRONOUN

Would you like one?  ("one cookie")
I'd like one.

(A pronoun can be used when both speaker and listener see something and know what another refers to.)

 
ANOTHER

We use another to ask for a second item — "one more". Using another requires that their be a first item. 
SINGULAR UNSPECIFIC — DETERMINER

two cookiesWould you like another cookie? (one more like the first)
 Yes, I'd like another cookie.
SINGULAR UNSPECIFIC — PRONOUN

Would you like another? ("another cookie")
I'd like another. 

(A pronoun can be used when both speaker and listener see something and know what another refers to.)

 
 

Note that "one" can be a cardinal number (quantity), and ordinal number (1, 2, 3…  rank, order) or a singular pronoun.

 

 

 

 

 

The / The Other

Referring to an additional one

 

 

 

The vs. The other (count noun)
THE

We use one to refer to the first item.
SINGULAR SPECIFIC — DETERMINER

one cookie(I see two cookies – chocolate chip and almond.)
I'd like the chocolate-chip cookie.
SINGULAR SPECIFIC — PRONOUN

I'd like this.     ("this cookie")
SINGULAR SPECIFIC — PRONOUN

I'd like these. ("these cookies")
THE OTHER

We use another to refer to the second item (of two similar items). Using another requires that there be a first item, before there can be a second — "one more".
SINGULAR SPECIFIC – DETERMINER

two cookies
  I'd like the other cookie too. ("the remaining")
SINGULAR SPECIFIC – PRONOUN

I'd like the other. ("the remaining cookie")
 

PLURAL SPECIFIC – PRONOUN

I'd like the others. ("the remaining cookies")
 

Note that "one" can be a cardinal number (quantity), and ordinal number (1, 2, 3…  rank, order) or a singular pronoun.

 

 

 

 

 

The Others / Others

Referring to some not in view

 

 

 

The others vs. Others (count noun)
THE OTHERS

We use the others to refer to the second set or group of items — the rest, the remains of the total.  (Logically, this requires that there be a first group before there can be a second group.)
PLURAL SPECIFIC

ate another cookieI ate all my cookies.  (first group of items)
Now I'd like to eat the others.  (second group of items)
OTHERS

We use others to refer to a group of something not present (something besides what we see now).
PLURAL UNSPECIFIC

two cookiesI don't want these cookies.  (these cookies with chocolate chips)
I want others. (those cookies without chocolate)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Count / Noncount

Referring to particular amounts

 

 

 

Count Noun vs. Noncount Noun
ANOTHER / THE OTHERS

We use some (multiple items), one another and the others for count nouns.
COUNT ITEMS

chipsMy sister made some cookies. (determiner / quantifier)
My sister made some.  (pronoun)

ate one cookieMy sister ate a cookie. (determiner / article)
She ate one.  (pronoun)

ate another cookieThen she ate another cookie.  (one more)
Then she ate another.  (pronoun)

empty plateThen she ate the other cookies.  (the rest)
Then she ate the others.  (pronoun – plural)
TWO ITEMS

two cookiesThere are two cookies on the plate.
You can have one cookie.
You can have one.    (pronoun)
You can have (a) half.

one cookieI'll take the other cookie.
I'll take the other.    (pronoun – singular)

empty plate
SOME MORE / THE REST

Use some, some more and the rest to for noncount nouns.
NONCOUNT ITEM

she poured a glass of milkMy sister poured some milk.
My sister poured some.   (pronoun)

she drank someShe drank some milk.  ("a little")
She drank some.   (pronoun)

she drank some moreShe drank some more milk.    ("a little more")
She drank some more.    (pronoun + pronoun) 

she drank the restShe drank the rest of the milk.

She drank the rest.   (pronoun)
 

she poured a glass of milkThere is some milk in this glass.
You can have some / half (of) the milk.
You can have some. (noncount)                                                              

she drank some moreI'll drink the rest of the milk.    (a little more)
I'll drink the rest.   (noncount)
I'll drink the other half.   (count pronoun quantifier)

Related page: Half a 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any Other

Setting an item apart in a comparison

 

 

 

Any vs. Any other
ANY

Use any to compare two different items.  Each item must be unique.

This cookie is better than any cupcake.

*This cookie is better than any cookie.  A comparison requires the items to be unique.

Jack is taller than any student in my school.  Jack attends a different school from mine.

Jack and I are taller than any student in our school.  A comparison is singular
*Jack and I are taller than any students in our school. Plural sounds awkward.
Jack and I are taller than any of the students in our school.   

 
ANY OTHER

Use any other to compare two items of the same kind. Any other sets one item apart from others in its own group.

This cookie is better than any other cookie. (of its kind/ in the competition)

This chocolate chip cookie is better than any other chocolate chip cookie.

Jack is taller than any other student in his school.

Jack and I are taller than any other student in our school.
*Jack and I are taller than any other students in our school. 
Jack and I are taller than any of the other students in our school.

 

 

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

 

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

 

 

 

ERROR SOLUTION

*I have two brothers.  One is an engineer. Another is a teacher. 

(requires at least three items)

The other is a teacher. (the remaining of the two)

I liked "True Grit".  *The others movies weren't as good.
 

 

I liked "True Grit". The other movies weren't as good. (determiner)

I liked the movie "True Grit".  The others weren't as good.  (plural pronoun)

 

*Can you answer my another question? 

Can you answer my other question. 
Can you answer another question.

Do not use a possessive pronoun with an article.  Use one or the other. 

 

crackers "Would you like a cracker?"

"No, I'd like another…some salami perhaps."

 

No, I'd like something else, some salami perhaps. (different type)
No, I'd like something other than crackers, some salami perhaps.
Yes, I'd like another cracker.   (same type)

We use another for an additional item like the first, not for something completely different.
 

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
pop question iconPop-Q Another thing/think coming

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

babies

Quadruplets

 

 

 

  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Two

 

 

Differentiate the two.
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

6.



gossip (v.) – to talk about other people's behavior and private lives

7.
likes to hear it.

8.

9.

10.

11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 3

Packing for San Francisco

coats

 

 

 

Read before adding pronouns.

I decided to come to San Francisco for a visit.  It is surprisingly cold here. I packed four coats. [Coat 1] is very light; it is for wind. [Coat 2]  is warmer with a hood and a zipper. I am wearing this a lot. [Coat 3] is for rain because it rains here occasionally in the summer! [Coat 4] is for evening; it is leather.

However, even if I wear all of them at once, I am still cold!  At home, I have [coats 5 and 6].  [Coat 5] is down, filled with feathers.  It would have been perfect for walking on the beach or in the mountains. [Coat 6] is wool and is long enough to cover my legs. Next time, I'll bring [coats 5 and 6]. I love this city, but maybe next time I'll visit [city 2]

It would have been perfect–  a wish for something that did not happen; expressing regret

 

 

 

 

Add pronouns to the sentences in the paragraph.
  1. Edit the sentence(s) using these pronouns: one, another, the other, the others, others.
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

12.
I packed four coats.  [Coat 1 ] ____ is very light; it is for wind.


13.
[Coat 2] ____ is warmer with a hood and a zipper. I am wearing this a lot.


14.
[Coat 3] ____ is for rain because it rains here occasionally in the summer!


15.
[Coat 4] is for evening; it is leather.  


16.
However, even if I wear all of them at once, I am still cold!  At home, I have [coats 5 and 6].


17.
[Coat 5] is down, filled with feathers. It would have been perfect for walking on the beach or in the mountains.


18.
[Coat 6] is wool and is long enough to cover my legs. Next time, I'll bring an extra suit case just for my coats.


19.
Next time, I'll bring [coats 5 and 6].


20.
I love this city, but maybe next time I'll visit [city 2]