BBC Learning English - Learners' Questions / Other, another or the other?

This week's question

What's the difference betwen 'other', 'another' and 'the other'? - Maxim from Russia

Answer this

Which of these words can be made plural and used as a pronoun?

Language points

Other
Other can mean 'alternative' or 'different', or it can mean 'additional'.

I like oranges, but other fruit tastes terrible.
The first meal is free. Other meals can be purchased if you are still hungry.

Other: forms
Other can be a pronoun or a determiner. As a determiner, it must be followed by an uncountable or plural noun. In order to use 'other' with a singular countable noun, an additional determiner must be used.

This car is OK but my other car is better.

The other
The other can mean 'the second of two options' or 'the remaining things in the group'. It can be followed by singular, plural countable nouns or an uncountable noun.

This car is good, but the other car is better.
This car is good, but the other cars are better.

Another
Another is 'an' + 'other'. It must be used with a singular countable noun. It can mean either 'alternative' or 'additional'.

I don't like this T-shirt. Do you have another one?
That was delicious. Can I have another burger?

Pronouns
Other, the other and another can be pronouns. They have the same meanings as before: 'alternative' or 'additional'. In addition, when other is a pronoun it can be made plural: others.

I've found a sock. But where is the other?
I've got a sock. Do you have one other?
She quit her job and found another.
I've seen many films, but I want to see others.

The answer

Other can be used as a pronoun and made plural: I've seen many films, but I want to see others.

Do you have a question?

If you have a question for Learners' Questions, email us on learning.english@bbc.co.uk

Latest Learners' Questions

Remember, remind, recollect or recall?
Episode 200324 / 24 Mar 2020
Remember, remind, recollect or recall?
Situation, position or condition?
Episode 200317 / 17 Mar 2020
Situation, position or condition?
As well, soon, much, long, far as
Episode 200310 / 10 Mar 2020
As well, soon, much, long, far as
Pronouncing '-s' and '-ed' endings
Episode 200228 / 28 Feb 2020
Pronouncing '-s' and '-ed' endings
‘Who’, ‘whom’ and ‘whose’?
Episode 200225 / 25 Feb 2020
‘Who’, ‘whom’ and ‘whose’?
Preposition 'to' + 'ing' or infinitive?
Episode 200218 / 18 Feb 2020
Preposition 'to' + 'ing' or infinitive?
'Win', 'earn', or 'gain'?
Episode 200211 / 11 Feb 2020
'Win', 'earn' or 'gain'?
'See', 'look' or 'watch'?
Episode 200204 / 04 Feb 2020
'See', 'look' or 'watch'?
'Too' or 'as well'?
Episode 200128 / 28 Jan 2020
'Too' or 'as well'?
'Lie', 'lie' or 'lay'?
Episode 200121 / 21 Jan 2020
'Lie', 'lie' or 'lay'?
'Tough', 'rough' or 'stiff'?
Episode 200114 / 14 Jan 2020
'Tough', 'rough' or 'stiff'?
The past continuous or past perfect continuous tense?
Episode 191217 / 17 Dec 2019
The past continuous or past perfect continuous tense?
Advice or advise?
Episode 191210 / 10 Dec 2019
Advice or advise?
Other, another or the other?
Episode 191203 / 03 Dec 2019
Other, another or the other?
Whatever, whichever or whatsoever?
Episode 191126 / 26 Nov 2019
Whatever, whichever or whatsoever?
Which prefix? 'Out-' or 'over-'?
Episode 191119 / 19 Nov 2019
'Out-' or 'over-': which prefix should we use?
What are the differences between 'fast', 'quick' and 'quickly'?
Episode 191112 / 12 Nov 2019
'Fast', 'quick' and 'quickly': what's the difference?
What are the differences between 'peek', 'peak' and 'pique'?
Episode 191105 / 05 Nov 2019
Peek, peak and pique: what's the difference?
Using 'for' and 'to' for reasons why
Episode 191029 / 29 Oct 2019
When should I use 'for' or 'to' to express purpose?
Past mistakes
Episode 191022 / 22 Oct 2019
How do we talk about mistakes in the past?
'Fill up', 'fill out' or 'fill in'?
Episode 191014 / 14 Oct 2019
What's the difference between 'fill up', 'fill out' and 'fill in'?