Differntiators

The determiners other and another refer to something different, remaining, or additional. They are placed before a noun. The other is treated separately because its usage is slightly different.

• other
  • Plural countable nouns and all uncountable nouns
• another
  • Singular countable nouns
• the other
  • Any noun that can take the definite article "the"

other

Other can be used alone or after the determiners some, any, and no.

Examples

• Do you have other shoes?
• There are other jobs you could try.
• Is there any other bread?
• I have some other sugar we could use.
• We have no other ideas.

If used with a plural countable noun and one of these determiners, the noun may be omitted when it is understood from the context. In that case, other becomes plural. This can also happen with other used by itself, but it is less common.

Examples

• Do you have any others?
• I know some others who might like to come.
• There are no others in this box.
• I know others like vanilla, but I prefer chocolate.
• She doesn't have to wear that dress. She has others.

another

another is used with singular countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, another is often used with measure words that are singular.

Examples

• Have another cookie.
• Would you like another cup of tea?
• He has another brother.
• I don't have another car.
• I'll come by another time.

the other

If the other is modifying a plural countable noun, the noun may be omitted when it is understood from the context. In that case, other will become plural.

Examples

• Where is the other box of cereal?
• I work on the weekend and go to school on the other days of the week.
• May I use the other honey for my recipe?
• I enjoyed the first book but I didn't read the other books in the series.
• Have you seen the others?
• Jim ate two cookies. I ate the others.