Grammar
One, another, other, and others
A shop has two notebooks left. You choose one, then ask for another. Your friend looks at the other notebook, while other customers choose different ones.
Choose one, another, other, or others by deciding whether you mean one replacement, one more singular item, or different plural people or things.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
one, another, other, and others /wʌn/, /əˈnʌðə(r)/, /ˈʌðə(r)/, and /ˈʌðəz/
The short answer
Use one for a singular noun already understood, another for one more or a different singular item, other before a noun, and others without a noun. First decide whether the noun is singular, plural, or omitted.
This chair is broken. Can I use another one?
Why it works: Another asks for a different chair, and one replaces the singular noun chair.
5 more examples
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I have two chargers, but this one is faster.
One replaces the singular noun charger after this.
Not this:I have two chargers, but
these onesare faster. What changes: Ones can replace a plural countable noun. Use it when more than one charger is meant. -
The first route is busy, so let us try another route.
Another means a different route or one more possible route.
Not this:The first route is busy, so let us try
the other route. What changes: The other fits when there are exactly two known routes and you mean the remaining one. -
Other students asked for extra time after class.
Other comes before the plural noun students.
Not this:
Othersasked for extra time after class. What changes: Others replaces the plural noun, so do not add students after it. -
Some advice is useful, but other advice is confusing.
Advice is uncountable, so other comes before the noun.
Not this:Some suggestions are useful, but
othersare confusing. What changes: Suggestions is plural and countable, so others can replace it. -
Mia carried one suitcase, and Leo carried the other.
The other means the remaining suitcase in a known pair.
Not this:Mia carried one suitcase, and Leo carried
another suitcase. What changes: Another adds an extra suitcase but does not identify it as the remaining one of two.
Read the full guide
Picture a table with several pens. You can point to one pen, ask for another pen, describe other pens, or say that some pens work and others do not. The noun is the key: keep it after other, but leave it out after others.
Replace a singular noun with one
Use one when a singular countable noun has already been named or is clear in the situation. It stops you from repeating the noun. You can use an adjective, this, that, or the before one: a small one, this one, that one, or the blue one.
I need a pen. Do you have one?
One replaces pen. It refers to one singular countable thing.
You see two coats. Complete the phrase: I prefer the black ___.
Use one: I prefer the black one.
Use another for one more
Use another when you mean one more person or thing, or a different singular one. It can come before a singular countable noun or stand alone when the noun is understood. The word already includes the idea of an, so do not say an another ticket.
This key does not fit. Please try another key.
Another key means a different key, not the same key again.
You have finished one cup of tea and want one more. Which word fits: another or others?
Use another: I would like another cup of tea.
Put other before a noun
Use other before a noun when you mean additional or different people, things, or uncountable material. Common patterns include other books, other people, other reasons, and other information. The following noun carries the plural or uncountable meaning.
We need other ideas before we choose a plan.
Other describes the plural noun ideas. It does not replace the noun here.
Complete the sentence: We need ___ information before we decide.
Use other: We need other information before we decide.
Use others without a noun
Others is a plural pronoun. It replaces a plural countable noun, so it appears without a noun after it. It often contrasts two groups: some people and others, some files and others, or some answers and others.
Some seats are near the door, and others are by the window.
Others replaces seats. Do not say others seats.
Choose the correct ending: Some neighbors walk to work; ___ drive.
Use others: Some neighbors walk to work; others drive.
Find the remaining known item
Use the other when the listener can identify the remaining person or thing. It is especially common with two known choices: one door and the other door, one parent and the other parent. The tells us that the remaining item is specific.
One glove is under the sofa, and the other is in the hall.
The other means the remaining glove from the known pair.
There are two lifts. One is out of service. Which phrase names the remaining lift?
Use the other lift because it is the remaining known lift.
Before you go
Remember this
Use one for a singular replacement and another for one more or a different singular item. Put other before a noun, but use others alone for plural people or things. When a known pair has one item left, try the other.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "One, another, other, and others"
What is the difference between other and others?
Other comes before a noun, usually a plural or uncountable noun: other students or other information. Others is a plural pronoun that replaces a plural countable noun: Some students stayed, and others left. Do not put a noun after others.
I have two chargers, but this one is faster.
When do I use one and another?
Use one to replace a singular countable noun that is already understood: the blue one. Use another when you mean one more or a different singular item: another route or another cup. Another can stand alone when the noun is clear.
I have two chargers, but these ones are faster.
What does the other mean?
The other usually means the remaining known person or thing. It is common when there are two items: one answer and the other answer. The article the shows that the listener can identify the remaining item from the context.
The first route is busy, so let us try another route.
Can other be used with uncountable nouns?
Yes. Use other before an uncountable noun when you mean different or additional material: other advice, other information, or other equipment. Do not use others for an uncountable noun because others replaces plural countable nouns.
The first route is busy, so let us try the other route.
Why is others people incorrect?
Others already replaces a plural noun, so others people repeats the noun meaning. Say other people when you need the noun after the word, or say others when the people are already understood.
Other students asked for extra time after class.