Did you know that English has two different words to express "otherness"? Let's have a look at the differences between other and another:
Another
Another means ‘one more’ or ‘an additional or extra’, or ‘an alternative or different’. It is always used with a singular noun.
For example:
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I would like another juice, it was really good!
Here, another means 'one more'.
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I want to see another option before buying this bike.
Here, another means 'an alternative or different'.
Other
Other can be used with either a plural or a singular noun. The other with a singular noun means 'the second of two things or people', or 'the opposite of a set of two'. Similarly, other followed by a plural noun means 'things that are different from the ones already mentioned'.
For example:
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This is a nice cellphone, but the other cellphone is cheaper!
Here, the other cellphone means 'the opposite of a set of two'.
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Well, three of my friends arrived, but I don’t know where my other friends are. Maybe they got stuck in traffic.
Here, my other friends means 'my friends that are different from the ones that arrived'.
Challenge
Complete the following sentences with another or other:
- Would you like ______ cup of tea?
- The _______ movie is so much better than this one.
- Do you know _______ lawyer?
- Some of the _______ players will arrive later tonight.
Can you think of any other phrases with other or another?
