Another / Other / Others / The Other

English has five closely related words for talking about additional or remaining things: another, other, others, the other, and the others. These another, other, others, the other and the others exercises with answers will help you master all five forms through multiple choice questions — from elementary (A2) to intermediate (B1).

To choose the right form, you only need 2 decisions:

Think of it as: (1) singular or plural? → (2) indefinite or definite? This 2×2 grid covers the core system. The rest of this lesson explains each form in detail, adds fixed patterns like one… the other and another three weeks, and practises tricky expressions such as each other and every other.

If you're not confident about countable and uncountable nouns, review that lesson first — it affects whether you use other with a plural noun or an uncountable noun.

Another vs The Other: Singular Forms

The most important distinction is between another (indefinite) and the other (definite) when referring to a single item.

Another = One More / A Different One

Use another when there is no fixed total — you simply want one more or a different one:

• This coffee is cold. Can I have another cup, please? (= one more cup — many cups exist)
• I don't like this shirt. Show me another one. (= a different one — many options)
• Would you like another chance to answer? (= one more chance)
• Let's meet another time — I'm busy today. (= a different time)

Key signal: The total number is unknown or irrelevant. You're picking from an open set.

The Other = The Remaining One of Two

Use the other when there are exactly two items and you've already mentioned one — the second is definite:

• I have two cats. One is black and the other is white. (= the second and last cat)
• She has two brothers. One lives in London and the other lives in Paris.
• He held a bag in one hand and an umbrella in the other. (= the other hand — people have exactly two)
• There are two doors. One is locked, but the other is open.

Key signal: The word two, both, or pair appears (or is implied). When there are exactly two, the remaining one is always the other.

The "Exactly Two" Trigger

This is the decision rule:

Notice the third row: a hand has five fingers, not two, so even though you've mentioned one finger, the next one is another (indefinite), not "the other."

👉 Practice Another vs The Other →

Other and Others: Adjective vs Pronoun

When talking about plural items or uncountable nouns, you need to decide between other (adjective) and others (pronoun).

Other = Adjective (Before a Noun)

Other goes directly before a plural or uncountable noun:

• Some students passed the exam, but other students failed.
• Do you have any other questions?
• We should consider other options before deciding.
• Is there any other information you need? (uncountable noun)

Others = Pronoun (Stands Alone)

Others replaces "other + noun" and stands alone — no noun after it:

• Some people prefer tea; others prefer coffee. (= other people)
• Some houses are old; others are quite modern. (= other houses)
• Some children like drawing; others prefer playing outside.

⚠️ The Number One Mistake: "Others" Before a Noun

Never put "others" before a noun. Say other students, not others students.

This rule never has exceptions. If a noun follows, use other. If no noun follows, use others.

The Other + Noun vs The Others

Adding the makes both forms definite — referring to the remaining items from a known group:

When to use "the": When the total group is known and you're referring to all the remaining items:

• I've invited ten people. Two have replied, but the others haven't. (definite — the remaining 8 of 10)
• Some of the books are mine. The others belong to my sister. (definite — a known set of books)

When to omit "the": When the group is general and you're not talking about all the rest:

• Some people like tea; others like coffee. (general — not a specific group)
• Some houses are old; others are modern. (general — just some, not all the rest)

👉 Practice Other vs Others →

Fixed Patterns: One… The Other, Some… Others

Several common patterns use these five forms in combination. Learning them as fixed structures makes choosing the right form much easier.

One… The Other (Dividing Two)

When splitting two items, use one… the other:

• I have two bags. One is for clothes and the other is for shoes.
• There are two roads. One goes north and the other goes south.
• She looked at both dresses. She tried one on and put the other back.

One… Another… The Other (Dividing Three)

When splitting three items, the middle one is another (indefinite) and the last is the other (definite):

• He has three cars. One is red, another is blue, and the other is silver.
• She speaks three languages. One is English, another is French, and the third is Japanese.

The pattern: one (first) → another (second, not the last) → the other / the third (last, definite).

Some… Others… The Others (Dividing Groups)

When splitting a group into parts:

Key distinction: Use others (no "the") for a middle portion, and the others for the final remainder of a known group.

Another + Number + Plural Noun

Another can be followed by a number + plural noun to mean "an additional amount":

• We need another three weeks to finish. (= three more weeks)
• Can you give me another ten minutes? (= ten more minutes)
• We'll need another five hundred pounds. (= five hundred more pounds)

This is a special structure where another combines with a plural noun through a number. Don't confuse it with the singular use — here "another" means "an additional batch of."

Other Than (Fixed Phrase)

Other than means "except" or "apart from." It is always other than — never another than or others than:

• No one other than the manager can approve this.
• Is there anything other than size that concerns you?
• I have nothing other than good news to share.

👉 Practice Fixed Patterns →

Tricky Expressions: Each Other and Every Other

Set 4 introduces two expressions that look similar to "the other" and "another" but have completely different meanings.

Each Other (Reciprocal)

Each other is a reciprocal pronoun meaning "one another" — it describes a mutual action between two or more people:

• Tom and Lisa help each other with homework. (= Tom helps Lisa AND Lisa helps Tom)
• They sat opposite and stared at each other. (= mutual staring)

Possessive form: each other's

• The two sisters have known each other's secrets since childhood.

Don't confuse with "the other": "Each other" shows mutual action. "The other" identifies the remaining one:

• They helped each other. (mutual — both helped)
• One helped the other. (one-directional — only one helped)

For a deeper look at "each other" in context, see Each / Every / All.

Every Other (Alternating)

Every other + singular noun means "every second one" — alternating:

• We have a meeting every other Friday. (= one week yes, one week no)
• We water the garden every other day. (= one day yes, one day no)

Don't confuse with "another":

• Every other Friday = every second Friday (a fixed pattern)
• Another Friday = one more Friday (an additional one)

For more on "every other" and other "every" expressions, see Each / Every / All.

In Other Words (Fixed Expression)

In other words means "to say it differently." It's always other, never another or others:

• We can't do anything about it. In other words, we just have to wait.

👉 Practice Mixed Another, Other, Others →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Quick Summary

The 5 Forms at a Glance

5-Step Decision Process

1. Fixed expression? → each other, every other, other than, in other words → Use the fixed form
2. Noun right after? → YES: use other (adjective) or another (singular) — NEVER "others" before a noun
3. Singular or plural? → Singular: choose between another / the other. Plural: choose between others / the others
4. Definite or indefinite? → Indefinite (any more): another / others. Definite (the remaining): the other / the others
5. Another + number? → another three weeks = three more weeks (special plural use)

Key Patterns

Practice Tips

1. Start with the "noun test": If a noun comes right after, use other (never "others"). This one rule eliminates the most common mistake.

2. Count the items: With exactly two items, the remaining one is always the other. With three or more (or an open set), use another for the next one.

3. Check for "the": Ask yourself: "Am I talking about ALL the remaining ones from a known group?" If yes → the others. If it's a general statement → others (no "the").

4. Learn the fixed phrases: Each other, every other, other than, and in other words are fixed expressions. Don't substitute "another" or "others" into them.

5. Practise "another + number": This special pattern (another three days) surprises many learners. Remember: another can take a plural noun when a number sits between them.

Practice All Exercises

Ready to practise everything you've learned? These another, other, others, the other and the others exercises are available as online multiple choice questions with answers from A2 to B1:

👉 Start with Set 4: Mixed Practice for a comprehensive review of all five forms!