SKILL 60: DISTINGUISH OTHER, ANOTHER AND OTHERS (STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION)

LONGMAN COMPLETE COURSE FOR THE TOEFL TEST

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

SKILL 60: DISTINGUISH OTHER, ANOTHER AND OTHERS

Other, another and others are very easy to confuse. To decide how to use each of them correctly, you must consider three things:

1.        If it is singular or plural.

2.       If it is definite (the) or indefinite (a, an)

3.       If it is an adjective (it appears with a noun) or if it is a pronoun (it appears by itself)

Notice that you use another only to refer to an indefinite, singular idea. Others is used only as a plural pronoun (not accompanied by a noun). In all other cases, other is correct.

EXERCISE 60: Each of the following sentences contains other, another or others. Circle the other, another, or others. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

____________	3	You should pack another pair of shoes in case that pair gets soaked.
____________	4	It is difficult to find others workers who are willing to work such long hours.
____________	5	Since the lamp you wanted is out of stock, you must choose another.
____________	6	The other desk clerk must have put that message in your mailbox.
____________	7	If your identification card is lost or stolen, you cannot get another.
____________	8	Because they were not pleased with the hotel accommodation last year, they have decided to try another hotel this year.
____________	9	As some students moved into the registration area, others took their places in line.
____________	10	The printer will not function unless it has another cartridges.

ANSWER KEY

1	C
2	I	(the another should be another)
3	C
4	I	(others should be other)
5	C
6	C
7	C
8	I	(a other should be another)
9	C
10	I	(cartridges should be cartridge)