Confusable words

other vs another: what's the difference?

other
adjective / pronoun
vs
another
adjective / pronoun
? ?

Other and another both mean an additional or different one, but they fit into a sentence in different ways.

Other

adjective / pronoun

Other is usually followed by a plural noun, or used with "the."

  • I have other plans tonight.
  • The other students already left.

Another

adjective / pronoun

Another is used with a singular noun, and it already includes the meaning of "an."

  • Can I have another coffee?
  • Let's try another approach.

Side by side

other another
Used with Plural nouns, or "the" + singular Singular nouns only
Includes "a/an"? No Yes, another means an + other
Simple test "other options" or "the other one" "another option," not "an other option"

Quick rule

Other goes with plural nouns or "the." Another already means "an + other," so it only goes with a singular noun, with no extra "a" needed.

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