Study materials
Ukrainian uses different words for a different one, one more and the second one. English has three similar words for them.
Can I have another cookie?
I have two brothers. One is a doctor, and the other is a cook.
Some people love winter. Others hate it.
This article explains another, other, the other and the others, the patterns one … the other and some … others, and every other day.
Another, other and the other
These words differ in two ways. The first is singular or plural. The second is whether we know which things are left.
| Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
| another cup | one more cup, any one |
| other cups | different cups, not known which |
| the other cup | the second cup, the last of two |
| the other cups, the others | all the rest, known which |
Would you like another coffee?
One shoe is here, but the other is missing.
There are two shoes, so we know which one is missing.
Some people like it. Others don't.
Other people, not known which.
Another is written as one word and goes before a singular. Before a plural it is possible only with a number: another two weeks. Other before a noun has no -s: other books, not others books. Others stands alone, without a noun. Ones can replace the noun: other ones.
One … the other and some … others
When there are two things or people, the first is one and the second is the other. We know which the second is, because it is the only one left. When people are split into groups, English says some … others. If the group is known and all the rest are meant, it says the others.
I have two cats. One is black, and the other is white.
Some people like tea. Others prefer coffee.
I have three sisters. One is a teacher, and the other two are students.
The remaining two, known which.
The other side of the street means the opposite side, because there are only two sides.
Every other day
Every other means one in every two. Every other day means on alternate days, and every other week means once in two weeks.
We have English every other day.
Grandma calls every other week.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is -s on other before a noun.
I like others books. → I like other books.
Other has no -s before a noun.
The second mistake is another before a plural.
We need another chairs. → We need another chair.
Another goes before a singular.
The third mistake is the another.
One sock is here. Where is the another? → Where is the other?
The second of two.
The first mistake shows before the noun. Other has no -s before a noun, so other books. The second shows in the number of the noun. Another goes before a singular, and before a plural only with a number. The third shows after the. Another already has an in it, so the another never happens, and the second of two is the other.