sábado, 7 de agosto de 2010

OTHER, OTHERS or ANOTHER?


As a teacher, I correct lots of writing activities a week, and one of the most consistent mistakes is the misuse another and other.

ANOTHER

So, when do you we use another?

Another is the combination of an + other, which means: one other.

As he waited for her, he had another cup of coffee.

An means one. One refers to singular. Therefore, another is used before singular nouns.

OTHER

Other is used before plural nouns.

There are other people waiting on the line. (more people)

OTHERS

What about others then?

Well, others is used when you don't mention what you are talking about. It is used to avoid repetition.

A lot of people came today but others will come tomorrow. (=other people)
Some papers are on the table, the others aren't here. (=other papers)
These dogs are poodle, the others are Yorkshire. (=other dogs)

Ok, now it's your time to practice it HERE and HERE.

See you soon!
J.