another
another — adjective
1. one additional example of a similar type, added on top of something that already
one additional example of a similar type, added on top of something that already exists or already happened.
Would you like another cup of tea before you leave the office?
polite offer: another + singular noun
The baby cried for another biscuit after finishing her first one.
The flight was delayed for another two hours because of heavy snow.
another + number + plural noun
Hiro scored another goal in the second half against the city team.
Grandma baked another loaf of bread because the children ate the first.
- another cup
- another chance
- another two hours
- another day
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
another + number + plural noun (e.g. another two hours)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense ADDS to what is already there (one more of the same), while sense 2 REPLACES or contrasts with the first one. Pairs naturally with 'one more', 'an extra', 'a further'.
Common Mistakes
2. not the same one already mentioned, but a separate item, location, or individual
not the same one already mentioned, but a separate item, location, or individual of similar type.
Citlali didn't like the red dress, so she tried another one in blue.
another + singular noun (a different one)
Let's meet at another cafe; this one is too noisy for our chat.
Hiro moved to another city after he finished college in Boston.
If this key doesn't work, please try another door near the back.
if-clause + another + noun
The teacher asked Kenji to give another example of a wild animal.
- another time
- another place
- another way
- another reason
- different
stresses contrast more strongly; 'another' is neutral
- a separate
more formal; emphasises that the items are not connected
- the same
the identical one already mentioned
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense means a DIFFERENT one (replacing or contrasting with the first), while sense 1 means an EXTRA one of the same kind added to what is already there.
Common Mistakes
3. any one out of several possible options, when it does not matter exactly which o
any one out of several possible options, when it does not matter exactly which one is chosen.
If the bus is full, Sami can take another route home from school.
another = any of several alternatives
There must be another way to fix this old printer without buying a new one.
Dr. Hadiya suggested another treatment in case the first medicine fails.
another + treatment (any alternative option)
We could meet on Monday, or another day next week works for me too.
- another option
- another way
- another route
- another choice
- an alternative
more formal; often noun-like
- some other
near-equivalent; slightly more vague
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun (unspecified alternative)
Usage Note
Often appears in conditional or hedging contexts ('if', 'in case', 'maybe', 'could'). The speaker is not naming a specific alternative, only signalling that options exist.
another — idiom
one thing or another
idioma vague way of pointing to several different reasons, activities, or items in a category, when the speaker does not want to list them or specify exactly which ones.
Lucia was busy with one thing or another all weekend and never got to the laundry.
What with one thing or another, Mr. Patel forgot to send the birthday card to his niece.
one after another
idiomdescribing how people, things, or events appear or happen in a continuous string, with each one following closely behind the last.
The children climbed onto the school bus one after another, calling out to their friends.
Hiro opened the letters one after another, hoping for good news from the university.
another — determiner / pronoun
1. an additional person, thing, or amount of something, on top of what already exis
an additional person, thing, or amount of something, on top of what already exists or has been mentioned.
Citlali finished her tea and asked the waiter for another cup.
another + singular countable noun
After two slices of pizza, Hiro quietly reached for another from the box.
We need another twenty minutes to finish painting the wall.
another + number + plural noun for amounts
Kenji passed his exam, but his brother had to wait another year before retaking his.
The kettle is empty; could you boil another?
pronoun use, standing in for a previous noun
- another time
- another chance
- another day
- another go
- one more
more explicit about the count; common in spoken English
- an additional
more formal; preferred in writing
- an extra
stresses that something is added beyond the expected amount
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
another + number + plural noun
Usage Note
Takes a singular countable noun directly (another book) but allows a plural noun when it follows a number or quantity (another three days, another few minutes).
Common Mistakes
2. a person or thing that is not the same as the one already mentioned or chosen, o
a person or thing that is not the same as the one already mentioned or chosen, often used when picking an alternative.
Hiro disliked the blue shirt and asked the clerk to bring another.
pronoun: standing in for a different item
If this train is full, we can catch another from platform six.
The Watanabe family decided to look for another house after the noisy neighbours moved in.
another + singular noun replacing a rejected option
Dr. Hadiya prescribed another medicine because the first one made Kenji drowsy.
- choose another
- try another
- look for another
- a different
spells out the contrast; clearer in writing
- an alternative
formal; suggests a deliberate replacement option
- the same
marks identity rather than difference
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
pronoun: choose another
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense replaces the earlier item rather than adding to it. The context (rejection or comparison) signals the difference.
Common Mistakes
3. someone or something that closely resembles a well-known person or thing, often
someone or something that closely resembles a well-known person or thing, often used to compare a newcomer to a famous example.
Critics are calling the young pianist another Mozart.
another + famous proper noun for comparison
The coach hopes Hiro will become another Messi on the school football team.
The new tech hub in the suburbs is being marketed as another Silicon Valley.
be another + place name for parallel reputation
Kenji insists he is not another Picasso; he just enjoys painting on weekends.
- another Einstein
- another Mozart
- another Silicon Valley
Grammar Patterns
another + proper noun
be another + name/role
Usage Note
Always followed by a proper noun (a person, place, or brand the listener already knows). The comparison can be flattering or sceptical depending on tone.
Common Mistakes
4. used in fixed phrases like 'one or another' to point at different kinds, ways, o
used in fixed phrases like 'one or another' to point at different kinds, ways, or members of a group without naming a specific one.
For one reason or another, Sami has missed every team meeting this month.
fixed phrase: for one reason or another
Most students struggle with maths in one way or another during high school.
fixed phrase: in one way or another
The villagers always celebrate the harvest with one festival or another.
Aunt Rosa keeps buying gifts for the children at one shop or another along the high street.
- one way or another
- one reason or another
- one form or another
- some kind of
less formal; loses the 'or another' flexibility
- various
stresses plural kinds rather than picking one vague example
Grammar Patterns
one ... or another
in one way or another
Usage Note
Almost always follows the pattern 'one [noun] or another'. The speaker either does not know the exact one or feels it is not worth specifying.
Common Mistakes
5. used with 'one' or in repeated phrases to describe a long, continuous series of
used with 'one' or in repeated phrases to describe a long, continuous series of people or things following each other.
Hiro answered one phone call after another for the entire afternoon.
one + noun + after + another for continuous sequence
The Watanabe family faced one setback and another during the move to Osaka.
Customers walked into the bakery one after another until the queue stretched onto the pavement.
one after another standing as a pronoun phrase
Kenji solved one puzzle after another without stopping for tea.
- one after another
- one thing after another
- one problem after another
- in succession
more formal; common in written reports
- back-to-back
informal; vivid for events that touch each other in time
Grammar Patterns
one ... after another
one ... and another
noun + after + another
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 adds a single extra item, while this sense pictures an ongoing chain. The 'after' or repeated 'and' is the key signal.
Common Mistakes
This phrase refers to various types of something without being specific.
Maya has tried several diets of one kind or another.
Have you encountered problems of one sort or another at work?
This phrase describes a series of people or things happening in sequence.
The students finished their exams one after another.
One after the other, the cars entered the parking lot.
another — determiner
1. used to mean an extra one, in addition to those that already exist or that someo
used to mean an extra one, in addition to those that already exist or that someone already has.
Citlali finished her coffee and quietly ordered another cup.
another + singular noun
The Watanabe family stayed in Kyoto for another three days.
another + number + plural noun
Could I have another slice of cake, please, Grandma?
polite request: another + noun
Hiro invited another friend to join the road trip on Saturday.
There is another email from the bank waiting in your inbox.
- another cup
- another chance
- another reason
- another day
- one more
very close in meaning; often interchangeable in spoken English
- an additional
more formal; common in writing and reports
- a further
formal, often used with time periods or amounts
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
another + number + plural noun
Usage Note
Only sense that combines with a number to mean 'an additional set of': 'another two weeks' = two more weeks. Distinguish from sense 3 (DIFFERENT), where 'another' replaces, not adds.
Common Mistakes
2. used in patterns like 'one X after another' to describe a long series of similar
used in patterns like 'one X after another' to describe a long series of similar events or things happening in sequence.
Kenji sent one email after another but got no reply from the office.
pattern: one + noun + after another
The farmer watched one storm after another roll across the fields that summer.
Sami faced one setback after another while building his small bakery.
Reporters asked one question after another at the long press conference.
The children opened one present after another on Christmas morning.
- one after another
- one problem after another
- one day after another
- successive
more formal adjective form for the same idea
- a string of
common informal alternative for negative events
Grammar Patterns
one + noun + after another
another + singular noun
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'one + [singular noun] + after another'. The noun is repeated only as 'another' in the second slot, not as the full noun.
Common Mistakes
3. used to refer to a different one, not the same one as before — for example, choo
used to refer to a different one, not the same one as before — for example, choosing a different shirt, café, or day from the one first mentioned.
This shirt is too small; could you bring me another size, please?
another = a different one
Hiro did not like the hotel, so the family moved to another place.
Let's meet on another day, because Tuesday is already very busy.
If this key does not work, try another one from the drawer.
another one = a different one
The teacher asked Kenji to choose another book from the library shelf.
- another way
- another time
- another place
- another reason
- a different
stronger contrast; emphasises that it is not the same
- some other
vaguer; the speaker does not have a specific one in mind
- the same
directly opposite when contrasting identity
Grammar Patterns
another + singular noun
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (ONE MORE): sense 1 adds to the existing one; sense 3 replaces it. 'Another coffee' often means one more cup (sense 1); 'another café' usually means a different café (sense 3). Context decides.
Common Mistakes
4. in the phrase 'one another', used to show that the people or things in a group d
in the phrase 'one another', used to show that the people or things in a group do the same thing to or for the others in that group.
The two sisters write to one another every week from different cities.
verb + one another
Members of the choir support one another during difficult rehearsals.
After the long flight, the players smiled and hugged one another warmly.
Good neighbours often help one another with small tasks around the house.
The classmates exchanged gifts with one another on the last day of school.
preposition + one another
- help one another
- love one another
- talk to one another
- look at one another
- each other
more common in everyday speech; same meaning
Grammar Patterns
one another
verb + one another
Usage Note
Used interchangeably with 'each other' in modern English. Some older style guides prefer 'one another' for groups of three or more, but this rule is no longer strictly followed in everyday writing.
Common Mistakes
5. used in fixed phrases such as 'one way or another' to mean by some method, for s
used in fixed phrases such as 'one way or another' to mean by some method, for some reason, or at some time, without saying which one exactly.
One way or another, Sami always finds the money to pay his rent.
fixed phrase: one way or another
For one reason or another, Citlali never sent the postcard from Lisbon.
fixed phrase: for one reason or another
Sooner or later, in one form or another, the truth usually comes out.
At one time or another, most of my classmates have borrowed money from Hiro.
fixed phrase: at one time or another
All these new gadgets are useful in one way or another, even if they look strange.
- one way or another
- for one reason or another
- at one time or another
- in one form or another
- somehow
rough single-word equivalent of 'one way or another'
- for some reason
close to 'for one reason or another' but slightly more direct
Grammar Patterns
in one way or another
for one reason or another
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the closed set of phrases: 'one way or another', 'for one reason or another', 'at one time or another', 'in one form or another'. Outside these, this vague-reference use is rare.
Common Mistakes
another — pronoun
1. an extra item or person of the same type as the one you already have or just men
an extra item or person of the same type as the one you already have or just mentioned.
Citlali finished her cookie and quietly asked Grandma for another.
object position: ask for another
These mangoes are so sweet — I think I'll have another.
have + another for one more of the same
Hiro polished off his beer and quickly ordered another at the bar.
ordered + another for one more of the same
If one umbrella breaks in the wind, Sami always carries another in his bag.
The puppy ate one biscuit and begged for another.
begged for + another
- have another
- want another
- ask for another
- bring another
Grammar Patterns
have / want / take + another
Usage Note
Refers back to a noun already named in the sentence or context; the listener must know what kind of thing is meant.
Common Mistakes
2. a person or thing that is not the one mentioned first, but a different example o
a person or thing that is not the one mentioned first, but a different example of the same kind.
This shirt is too tight; let me try another from the rack.
try + another (different one)
Kenji did not like the blue paint, so he chose another at the store.
If this key does not open the gate, please test another.
One road leads to the lake; another goes up the mountain.
subject position: one … another
The first plan failed, so the team quickly proposed another.
- try another
- choose another
- pick another
- one … another
- a different one
more explicit when contrast matters
- the other
use when only two items exist; 'another' suggests more options
- the same one
points back to the original item
Grammar Patterns
pick / choose / try + another
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on being a DIFFERENT example, not an additional one. Often pairs with 'one … another'.
Common Mistakes
3. any one item from a wider, unspecified group, when you do not need to say exactl
any one item from a wider, unspecified group, when you do not need to say exactly which one.
The library has hundreds of mystery novels; Mia grabbed another for the train ride.
another from a large group
Volunteers kept arriving at the shelter, and another stepped in to help cook dinner.
Out of the many old photos in the box, Grandpa picked another to show us.
another + of + plural noun
Stars filled the sky, and every few minutes another shot across it.
The crowd cheered as another of the marathon runners crossed the finish line.
another of the runners
- another of the
- another of his
- another of these
- one
neutral, but loses the sense of 'yet one more from the group'
- some other
broader and vaguer; 'another' picks one specific member
Grammar Patterns
another + of + plural noun phrase
Usage Note
Subject is typically drawn from a large or open-ended set. Often takes the structure 'another of [the/his/these] + plural noun'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: determiner/1
All five words add to a count or amount, but each carries a different feel. 'Another' is the most everyday choice and always pairs with a singular countable noun (or a number plus a plural noun): 'another biscuit', 'another two days'. 'More' is broader — it works with plural and uncountable nouns where 'another' cannot, e.g. 'more biscuits', 'more water'. 'Additional' and 'extra' both stress that the item is on top of what was planned or expected; 'additional' sounds formal and is common in reports and notices ('an additional fee'), while 'extra' is friendlier and often spoken ('an extra slice for you'). 'Further' leans formal and is most natural with time periods, steps, or information: 'a further two weeks', 'further details'. So at a café you might say 'another coffee'; in an email you might write 'a further coffee break has been added'.
Common collocations
Nouns
- another time
- another way
- another day
- another chance
- another reason
- another one
Phrases
- one after another
- one way or another
- for one reason or another
Prepositions
- in another (country / way / form)
- at another (time / place)
- for another (reason / hour)
Etymology
Originally written as two separate words, 'an other', in Middle English around the 1300s. The indefinite article 'an' (from Old English 'ān', meaning 'one') was placed before 'other' (from Old English 'ōþer', meaning 'second' or 'the next one') to point to one more or one different example. Over time the two words were spoken so closely together that writers fused them into the single word 'another' by the late 1400s. The older spelling 'an other' is now considered a mistake in modern English.