Quick answer: Another = one more or one different (singular, indefinite — it replaces “an other”): Can I have another biscuit? Other = different or additional (plural nouns or with “the”): Other students disagreed. / The other side of the street. Never say “the another” — it doesn’t exist. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘other’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| another | determiner / pronoun | one more; one different (singular, indefinite) | Can I have another biscuit? / Try another approach. |
| other | determiner / pronoun | different; additional (plural or definite) | Other students disagreed. / The other side of the street. |
Using Another — Singular and Indefinite
Another is formed from an + other merged into one word. It is always singular and always indefinite — it already includes the indefinite article “an,” so you can never say “the another” or use it with plural nouns. Use it when you mean one more of the same kind, or one different alternative.
Can I have another cup of tea?
Let’s try another approach.
She moved to another city.
He asked for another chance.
Another with Numbers
There is a very useful pattern: another + number + plural noun, meaning “an additional [number] of.” This is extremely common in everyday English and is perfectly correct despite the plural noun following another.
We need another three days to finish.
She waited another twenty minutes.
Give me another two reasons.
Using Other — Plural Nouns and Definite References
Other is used with plural nouns (other people, other countries, other options) or with the definite article “the” to refer to a specific remaining item (the other one, the other end). It can also be used as a pronoun: some agreed, others didn’t.
Other students found the exam difficult.
Have you considered other options?
She held the rope with the other hand.
Some guests arrived early; others came late.
Others and The Others
The pronoun forms are worth knowing separately. Others is a plural pronoun used in a general sense. The others is the definite form, referring to specific remaining people or things. Note that other alone cannot serve as a plural pronoun — you must use others.
Some people like jazz; others prefer classical.
Three students passed; the others will resit the exam.
I’ll take this one — you can have the others.
Side by Side: Other vs Another
Placing both words in near-identical sentences shows the contrast most clearly.
Give me another piece. (singular, indefinite — one more piece)
Give me the other pieces. (definite — the remaining pieces)
I need another solution. (singular, indefinite — one different solution)
I need other solutions. (plural — different solutions in general)
Common Mistakes
✗ I need other solution.
✓ I need another solution.
Singular indefinite = another, not other.
Less precise: Can I have others? (unclear what “others” refers to)
More precise: Can I have the others? (specific, definite remaining items)
✗ The another student didn’t come.
✓ The other student didn’t come.
“The another” does not exist in English. Another already includes the indefinite article and cannot be used with “the.”
Also worth studying: Same vs Similar, Near vs Nearby, Fewer vs Less, Accept vs Except. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Other or Another?
Four questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “Could I have ___ cup of tea, please?”
2. “___ students found the exam easy.”
3. “I’ll try ___ time.”
4. “On the ___ hand, this approach has advantages.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between other and another?
Another = an + other. It is singular and indefinite: “another chance,” “another person.” Use it when you mean one more of the same kind, or one different alternative. Other is used with plural nouns (other people, other countries) or with “the” to refer to a specific remaining item (the other side). “The another” does not exist — another already contains the indefinite article.
When do you use “another” and when do you use “other”?
Use another with singular, indefinite nouns: “another cup,” “another idea.” Use other with plural nouns: “other students,” “other options.” Use “the other” with singular definite nouns (a specific remaining item): “the other end,” “the other day.” A quick rule: if you can say “a different one” → another; if you mean “different ones” (plural) → other; if you mean “the remaining one” → the other.
Can “other” be used as a pronoun?
Yes, as “others” (plural pronoun): “Some agreed; others didn’t.” As “the others” (definite plural): “Three left; the others stayed.” As “the other” (singular): “I’ll take one; give me the other.” However, “other” alone as a singular pronoun is not standard in modern English — use “the other” for singular or “others/the others” for plural.
What does “on the other hand” mean?
“On the other hand” is a discourse marker meaning “in contrast” or “from a different perspective.” It introduces a contrasting point: “The job pays well. On the other hand, the hours are long.” It always uses “other,” never “another” (“on the another hand” is wrong). This is one of the most common fixed expressions in English for connecting contrasting ideas.
What is “every other”?
“Every other” means “alternate” — every second one: “I visit my grandmother every other week” (= every two weeks). “Take the medicine every other day” (= on alternate days). It always uses “other,” never “another.” This is a fixed phrase: “every other day/week/month.”
Can “another” be used with plural nouns?
Yes, but only with a number: “another two weeks,” “another three attempts,” “another five minutes.” Without a number, another cannot be used with a plural noun: “another students” is wrong; use “other students.” The pattern “another + number + plural noun” means “an additional [number of]” and is extremely common in everyday English.
What is the difference between “other” and “others”?
Other is a determiner used before a noun: “other people,” “other ideas.” Others is a pronoun (standing alone, replacing a noun phrase): “Some agreed; others didn’t.” “Others” always refers to additional people or things in a general sense. “The others” is the definite form, referring to specific remaining people or things: “Three students left; the others stayed.”
What is “the other day”?
“The other day” is a fixed phrase meaning “recently” or “a few days ago”: “I ran into an old friend the other day.” It is informal and vague about the exact time. Note: it uses “the other,” not “another.” This is one of several fixed expressions with “other” that cannot be changed to “another”: “on the other hand,” “every other day,” “the other day.”
How do you use “another” to express a length of time?
Another + time period means “an additional” period: “We need to wait another hour,” “She worked there for another five years,” “Give me another minute.” This use of another emphasises the continuation or addition of time beyond what has already passed. Compare: “I’ve been waiting for an hour and now I need to wait another hour.”
How do “other” and “another” appear in IELTS writing?
Both appear frequently. In IELTS Task 2, “on the other hand” is used to introduce a contrasting point — a very common discourse marker. “Another reason/argument/factor” introduces additional points: “Another reason why this policy fails is...” “Other” modifies plural nouns in general statements: “Other countries have adopted different approaches.” Using “another” correctly with both singular nouns and number + plural constructions shows strong vocabulary range.