Other means different from the one or ones already mentioned, or additional to what has been specified. It functions as an adjective (the other door), a pronoun (the others are waiting), or an adverb in fixed phrases (other than).
What Does Other Mean?
Other descends from Old English ōther, related to Gothic anþar and Proto-Germanic *anþeraz, originally meaning "the second of two". It is one of the oldest and most stable words in the English language — its core meaning has barely shifted in over a thousand years.
In modern English, other carries two closely related meanings. First, it signals difference or contrast: the other team means a team that is not this one. Second, it signals addition: other reasons means reasons beyond those already listed. Both uses are extremely common across all registers, from casual conversation to academic prose.
As an adjective, other precedes a noun and does not change for plural: the other book and the other books are both correct. As a pronoun, it takes the plural form others when referring to several items or people: some agree; others do not. In the fixed adverbial phrase other than, it means "except" or "apart from".
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| I have two bags — this one is mine and the other is yours. | A2 — pronoun referring to one of a pair |
| Some students finished early; others needed more time. | B1 — pronoun in contrast structure |
| On the other hand, some learners prefer reading over speaking. | B1 — fixed discourse marker for contrast |
| There are other factors to consider beyond cost and convenience. | B2 — adjective signalling additional items |
| The findings were, other than a few minor anomalies, entirely consistent with the hypothesis. | C1 — adverbial phrase "other than" in formal writing |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| on the other hand | It is cheap; on the other hand, the quality is poor. |
| each other | The two colleagues respect each other greatly. |
| other than | No one other than the manager has access. |
| among others | She has studied French, Italian, and Spanish, among others. |
| in other words | In other words, we need to start again. |
| every other | The club meets every other Wednesday. |
| the other day | I bumped into an old friend the other day. |
| one after the other | Problems arose one after the other. |
| other people | Think about how your actions affect other people. |
| otherwise | Leave now; otherwise you will be late. (derived form) |
Usage Notes
How to Use "Other" Correctly
- Adjective (singular): Use the other + singular noun when referring to the second of two known items: I have two pens — the other pen is red.
- Adjective (plural): Use other + plural noun for additional items from a larger group: other students, other possibilities.
- Pronoun: Use others (without a noun) to mean "other people" or "other things": Some days are hard; others are easy.
- Definite pronoun: Use the others when the group is known: Three of us arrived on time; the others were late.
- "Other than": This phrase means "except" or "apart from" and can introduce a noun phrase or a clause: I have no option other than to resign.
- Do not confuse with "another": Use another with singular countable nouns when adding one item; use other with plurals or uncountable nouns.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I met some other peoples at the conference.
I met some other people at the conference. (people is already plural — never add -s)
She has another books to read.
She has other books to read. (use other, not another, before plural nouns)
On the other hand, but it is also expensive.
On the other hand, it is also expensive. (do not double up with but — the phrase already signals contrast)
They helped each others.
They helped each other. (each other is a fixed phrase — never pluralise other here)