Sparky: It's going to rain all day today.
Mr.Maru: It seems like a good day to watch some movies.
Sparky: What should we see?
Mr.Maru: Well, we can see Oil and Water.
Sparky: No, I don't like disaster movies. Let's watch other movie.
Mr.Maru: Well, we can watch Benji.
Sparky: That sounds perfect. Can I sit on the couch with you?
Mr.Maru: You are too big.  You need to lose another 5 pounds.
Sparky: (sigh) We need a bigger couch.

What is the difference between another and other?  When do we use other and when do we use another?  These two words are little similar, but they are sometimes used very differently.  Let's take a look at a few examples.

Other - The Basics

We can use the word 'other' to mean different in some way.  We use it with plural (-s) nouns, uncountable nouns, or when we should use 'the'.  For example,

Where are the other cans? (plural noun)
There is other beer in the fridge. (uncountable noun)
Here is the other glove. (We should use 'the')

The word 'other' can also be used as a pronoun (he, she, it).  It often refers to or talks about something already talked about.  For example,

These aren't strong enough.  Do you have any others?
I have the right shoe.  Where is the other (one)?

Another - The Basics

We can use the word 'another' usually means additional, extra, or alternative, 'another' actually comes from 'an' + 'other'.  Because we are using 'an', we must talk about a single thing or singular noun.  For example,

Can I have another can of beer? (Can I have an additional can of beer?)
Here is another glove. (You don't know about this glove.  It is not the only one.)
Do you want to see Oil and Water?  Let's go see another movie.  (Let's go see a different, alternative movie to this one.)

Be careful! Another can be used a little differently in front of plural nouns IF we have few or a number before the plural noun.  For example,

We need another 5 chairs. (We need 5 more chairs.)
How much longer? It will be another few minutes.  (It will be a few more minutes.)

Do you think you understand?  Let's take a short quiz.

1) Compared to __________ electric cars, this electric car is really fast.

A) others
B) other
C) another

2) For the party tomorrow, we need ____________ 10 pizzas.

A) others
B) other
C) another

3) You are really crying.  Do you need ________ tissue?

A) others
B) other
C) another

Answers

1) - B) we need to use other to talk about different cars.
2) - C) We can use another with numbers before plural nouns.
3) - C) We can use another to mean additional.

Thanks for stopping by!  Can you make a sentence using another or other?  Try it in the comments below and I'll help correct you.  If you have another question about grammar please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it