other
other — determiner
1. used before a noun to mean an extra person or thing besides one already known or
used before a noun to mean an extra person or thing besides one already known or already talked about.
Do we need other chairs for the parents at the school show?
other + plural noun for extra items
After the harbor cafe closed, Maria found other work at the fish market.
There was one other boy waiting outside the dentist's room.
one other + singular noun
Are there any other questions before Dr. Chen ends the meeting?
- other chairs
- other work
- one other boy
- other questions
- additional
neutral word for something extra
- extra
common everyday alternative
- more
very general and often less specific
- same
refers to the original person or thing, not an extra one
Grammar Patterns
other + plural noun
other + uncountable noun
one other + singular noun
Usage Note
Most common with plural nouns or uncountable nouns. With a singular count noun, English usually adds another determiner, as in 'one other person' or 'the other room'.
Common Mistakes
2. used after named examples to show that more things of the same general kind are
used after named examples to show that more things of the same general kind are included, without listing every one.
The museum sells postcards, maps, badges, and other small gifts.
other + noun after a short list
We invited teachers, parents, and other neighbors from the block.
Her bag held pencils, tape, scissors, and other art tools.
The report tracks rice, fruit, and other farm products.
- other small gifts
- other neighbors
- other art tools
- other farm products
Grammar Patterns
A, B, and other + plural noun
A, B, and other + noun phrase
Usage Note
This pattern normally comes after a short list and then names the wider class. Distinguish from sense 1, which simply adds more people or things without the list structure.
Common Mistakes
3. used in phrases such as 'the other side' or 'the other end' for the far side or
used in phrases such as 'the other side' or 'the other end' for the far side or far end across from the one already in view.
A red bike was leaning on the other side of the bridge.
the other side of + place
Please write your name at the other end of the form.
the other end of + object
Dad waved from the other side of the football field.
The station cafe sits at the other end of the platform.
- the other side
- the other end
- the other side of the bridge
- the other end of the platform
Grammar Patterns
the other side of + place
the other end of + thing
Usage Note
Most often fixed in 'the other side' and 'the other end'. It normally points across from the speaker or from the part already named.
Common Mistakes
4. used before a noun to refer to a different person, thing, idea, or group from th
used before a noun to refer to a different person, thing, idea, or group from the one just mentioned.
If this bus is full, we'll find other transport home tonight.
other + noun for a different choice
Ethan studies French, but his sister learns other languages at night school.
The twins chose other schools after the first one raised fees.
On the porch, Grandpa enjoys other people's fishing stories more than television.
other people's + noun
- other transport
- other languages
- other schools
- other people's stories
- different
closest general equivalent
- alternative
often stresses another possible choice
- separate
suggests being distinct rather than shared
Grammar Patterns
other + plural noun
some other + singular noun
other people's + noun
Usage Note
Common with plural nouns, possessives, and abstract nouns: other ideas, other schools, other people's customs. Distinguish from sense 1, which adds more of the same set, and from sense 6, which usually appears with 'than'.
Common Mistakes
5. used with time words like day, week, or night to point to a recent time in the p
used with time words like day, week, or night to point to a recent time in the past without naming the exact date.
I ran into Mr. Wu the other day outside the bakery.
the other day for a recent past time
The other week, our cat slept inside the laundry basket.
Mina called the other night after her train reached Hsinchu.
We met the other morning when the market was opening.
- the other day
- the other week
- the other night
- the other morning
- recent
general word for a time not long ago
- a few days ago
common paraphrase for 'the other day'
- the other night
parallel fixed form for evenings or nights
Grammar Patterns
the other day
the other week
the other night
the other morning
Usage Note
Usually appears as 'the other day/night/week' and always refers to the recent past, not the future. If the exact date is given, English normally names that date instead.
Common Mistakes
6. used with 'than' to leave one person or thing out, or to show that the right cho
used with 'than' to leave one person or thing out, or to show that the right choice is not the one already named.
Tours other than the city walk cost extra during the holiday.
other than + noun to exclude one option
No one other than Nina knew the locker code.
other than + pronoun/noun after no one
Plants other than roses survived the dry August heat.
At St. Mary's, anything other than black shoes breaks the school rule.
- other than Nina
- other than roses
- anything other than
- no one other than
- except for
very close in meaning for leaving something out
- apart from
common alternative in speech and writing
- besides
sometimes similar, though it can also mean 'in addition to'
- including
shows that the named person or thing is part of the group
Grammar Patterns
other than + noun
other than + pronoun
anything/no one + other than
Usage Note
Only this sense takes the fixed pattern 'other than'. Distinguish from sense 7 in the other determiner chunk: sense 7 is limited to negative sentences, but this one also appears in positive statements.
Common Mistakes
7. after a negative word, marking the only person or thing left outside the stateme
after a negative word, marking the only person or thing left outside the statement.
We invited nobody other than Maya to the small beach wedding.
negative word + other than + noun
The shop sells nothing other than soup during the late shift.
There was no sound other than rain on the bus roof.
I remember little other than Ben waving from the station gate.
little + other than + -ing clause
- nobody other than
- nothing other than
- no sound other than
- little other than
- except
the plainest single-word equivalent
- apart from
can mean the same thing, but it also has an additional meaning in positive statements
- save
formal and uncommon in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
no/nothing/nobody/little + other than + noun phrase
negative clause + other than + noun phrase
Usage Note
Most often follows negative words such as no, nothing, nobody, or little. Distinguish from sense 6, which can use 'other than' more generally and is not limited to negative statements.
Common Mistakes
8. in the phrase 'in other words', signalling that the speaker is about to say the
in the phrase 'in other words', signalling that the speaker is about to say the same point more plainly.
The train is delayed; in other words, we will miss dinner.
fixed phrase: in other words
The road is closed. In other words, we must turn back.
statement. In other words, + clause
Maya's answer was unclear. In other words, nobody understood the bus plan.
The police report was incomplete. In other words, half the witness details were missing.
- in other words
- say in other words
- put it in other words
- that is
similar restating link, often slightly more formal
- to put it simply
more explicit about making the idea easier
- put another way
close in meaning, with a more spoken feel
Grammar Patterns
in other words, + clause
statement. In other words, + clause
Usage Note
Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'in other words'. It introduces a clearer restatement, not a new idea.
Common Mistakes
9. in patterns like 'some place or other', showing that the detail is being left va
in patterns like 'some place or other', showing that the detail is being left vague or only partly remembered.
Mina left her scarf in some cafe or other after lunch.
some + noun + or other
We'll ask some neighbor or other to water the tomatoes.
Before the school play, someone or other had moved the chairs off the stage.
someone or other
Dad stored the tickets in some drawer or other upstairs.
- some place or other
- some person or other
- someone or other
- somewhere or other
- some
can also leave the exact detail unspecified, but less strongly
- a certain
sounds more deliberate and less conversational
- one or another
close in meaning, but less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
some + noun + or other
someone/something/somewhere + or other
Usage Note
Usually appears with indefinite words such as some, someone, something, or somewhere. It sounds conversational and deliberately vague rather than exact.
Common Mistakes
other — pronoun
1. used for the second person or thing in a pair, or for the one left after the res
used for the second person or thing in a pair, or for the one left after the rest have been chosen or used.
Of the twin beds, one was for Leo and the other for me.
one ..., the other
Mina ate one peach, and her sister saved the other.
Three keys were on the desk; Carlos grabbed two and left the other.
the other for the one left
Take either glove now, and I'll pack the other later.
- one ..., the other
- save the other
- leave the other
- the other of the two
- the second
fits best when there are exactly two choices
- the remaining one
makes the leftover idea more explicit
- the last one
works when all but one have already gone or been used
Grammar Patterns
one ..., the other
the other of the two
leave/save the other
Usage Note
Usually singular and very often 'the other'. Distinguish from sense 2 MORE OF THEM, which refers to extra people or things in a larger group rather than one specific item left over.
Common Mistakes
2. used, often as 'others', for extra people or things of the same kind besides the
used, often as 'others', for extra people or things of the same kind besides the ones already mentioned.
Some guests stayed inside, but others danced in the garden.
some ..., others ...
A few apples were ripe, while others needed another day.
while others ...
This shop window shows black backpacks, brown satchels, and many others.
many others for additional items
Several teams arrived early, and others came after lunch.
- some ..., others ...
- while others
- many others
- and others
- the rest
focuses on what remains as a group, not simply extra matching items
- more
less specific and does not always replace a noun by itself
- additional ones
more explicit but heavier in style
Grammar Patterns
some ..., others ...
while others ...
many others
Usage Note
Most often plural as 'others'. Distinguish from sense 1 REMAINING ONE, which points to one specific second or leftover item, and from sense 3 OTHER PEOPLE, which is limited to people in general.
Common Mistakes
3. used to mean people in general apart from yourself or your own side.
used to mean people in general apart from yourself or your own side.
Good team leaders listen to others before closing the village clinic.
listen to others = other people
On crowded trains, children must learn to think of others.
think of others
A rude joke may amuse you but hurt others in the locker room.
After the flood, Mei checked her street and then helped others.
- think of others
- help others
- respect others
- listen to others
- other people
the clearest full form of this meaning
- everyone else
often stronger because it means all the remaining people
- people around you
adds the idea of nearby people rather than people in general
- yourself
refers back to the person being addressed instead of other people
Grammar Patterns
think of others
listen to others
help others
Usage Note
Usually plural and used for people only. Distinguish from sense 2 MORE OF THEM, which can refer to things or to a specific counted group already under discussion.
Common Mistakes
other — noun
1. a different person or thing, an extra one, or the one still left after one has b
a different person or thing, an extra one, or the one still left after one has been chosen.
I'll take the blue notebook, and Rosa can have the other.
the other = the remaining one of two
One sock was under the bed, but the other stayed in the drawer.
Please pass me the other; this spoon is dirty.
the other for a different choice
We need four plates, so Lena borrowed two others next door.
others = extra ones of the same kind
Of the two photos, Dad framed one and mailed the other.
one ..., the other ... contrast pattern
- the other
- the others
- one ..., the other ...
- two others
- another
more common for one extra singular item, especially before a noun or with 'one'
- alternative
focuses on a different option rather than simply the one left
- remainder
more formal and mainly used for what is left, not an everyday choice
Grammar Patterns
the other
the others
one ..., the other ...
two others
Usage Note
Usually appears as 'the other' or 'the others', with the main noun understood from the context. Distinguish from pronoun sense 1, which mainly points to the second or remaining member of a known pair or set; this noun sense also covers a different or extra one.
Common Mistakes
other — adjective
1. so far from what people normally know that it feels strange and hard to understa
so far from what people normally know that it feels strange and hard to understand.
The choir's low humming felt other in the dark stone church.
feel + other after a linking verb
After midnight, the mountain village seemed other under the green sky.
seem + other for an unfamiliar feeling
After the fever, Leo's face looked other across the breakfast table.
By dawn, the school hall was other after the night fire.
be other in predicative position
The old song sounded other through the broken kitchen radio.
- feel other
- seem other
- be other
- sound other
- strange
the broad everyday word for something unusual or hard to explain
- odd
often milder and can suggest something slightly unusual rather than deeply unfamiliar
- alien
stronger, with emphasis on something feeling outside normal human experience
- uncanny
adds a slightly unsettling feeling that is stronger than other
Grammar Patterns
be other
seem other
feel other
sound other
Usage Note
Usually follows a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem', 'feel', 'look', or 'sound'. It describes a strange or hard-to-place quality, not the ordinary contrast meaning found in determiner sense 4.
Common Mistakes
This phrase refers to a recent but not specific day, morning, evening, or week.
I met my old friend Sara the other day at the park.
Did you see that amazing sunrise the other morning?
other than
idiomThis phrase means 'except' or 'apart from' when excluding someone or something.
Other than Brian, everyone in the team attended the meeting.
I have no plans for the weekend other than finishing my homework.
other — adverb
1. in another way or by a different means, usually after 'than'.
in another way or by a different means, usually after 'than'.
The family could not reach the farm other than by boat.
other than + by + transport
When the nurse asked again, Nina could not answer other than with a quick nod.
other than + with + noun phrase
There was no road out other than past the old mill.
no + noun + other than + place phrase
After the argument, Marcus could not show regret other than by writing a note.
could not + verb + other than + by -ing
- other than by boat
- other than with a nod
- other than past the old mill
- other than by writing a note
- otherwise
the normal modern adverb for this meaning
- differently
broader and more common for doing something in another way
Grammar Patterns
other than + by + noun
other than + with + noun
no + noun + other than + phrase
cannot + verb + other than + phrase
Usage Note
Almost always followed by 'than' and often comes after a negative phrase such as 'no way' or 'could not'. Outside this pattern, modern English usually prefers 'otherwise'.
Common Mistakes
other — verb
1. to treat a person or group as if they do not belong, while stressing that they a
to treat a person or group as if they do not belong, while stressing that they are different from the people seen as normal.
Some teachers othered Yusuf after he arrived from Sudan.
other + person object in a social setting
City leaders othered poor families during the housing crisis.
At lunch, two boys othered Mei by mocking her home language.
other + somebody by + action
New rules can other disabled students even in a friendly school.
other + group through policy
After weeks of accent jokes, many cleaners were othered at the hotel.
passive: be othered
- other immigrant families
- other disabled students
- be othered at work
- other someone through jokes
- exclude
stresses keeping someone out; 'other' also marks them as fundamentally different
- marginalize
focuses on pushing someone to the edge of social power
- alienate
can happen without openly treating someone as an outsider
- stigmatize
emphasizes shame or negative judgment more than group boundaries
Grammar Patterns
other + person/group
be othered by + community/system
Usage Note
Commonest in social, political, and academic discussion rather than everyday casual speech. Passive forms such as 'be othered' are frequent, and the object is usually a person or group whose difference is being stressed.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: determiner/4
For determiner sense 4, other usually points to a person or thing that is not the one already mentioned. Different is close, but it often works as an adjective after a verb, as in 'The two plans are different.' Another usually means one more, or a different one in the singular, so 'another bus' is common where 'other bus' usually needs a determiner such as 'the' or 'some'. Alternative suggests a possible choice between options, often in a more deliberate way. Extra means added in number or amount, not simply not the same. Compare: 'We took other transport home' changes the option; 'We need extra chairs' adds more chairs.
Etymology
Other comes from Old English other, which meant the second of two or a different one. It goes back through Proto-Germanic to an older Indo-European root meaning 'the other' or 'the second of a pair'. Over time, English kept both ideas: contrast with one thing already mentioned, and reference to the remaining one. The modern verb sense, as in 'to other someone', is much newer and grows out of the older idea of marking a person as different.