Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners - Robin Torres-Gouzerh 2016

Adjectives
16 Using other

Forms of other are used as either adjectives or pronouns. These forms distinguish singular from plural, both as adjectives and pronouns.

Adjectives

The adjective another is used to modify singular nouns. Its plural counterpart, other, is used to modify plural nouns, noncount nouns, and collective nouns. Another means “one more of something” or “something different.” Other means “more things or persons” or “different things or persons.”

I want another piece of cake, please. (one more)

I don’t like this apple. I’d prefer another apple. (a different one)

We met the other guests at the party. (more of them)

They’re strange. I’d rather meet the other guests. (different ones)

Some books were interesting. Other books were quite boring. (different ones)

I like this wine, but I think the other wine is better. (different noncount)

Other and the other can modify plural nouns. They are different only in that the other is more specific. But be aware that the other can also modify singular nouns.

Some plants are wilted. Other plants seem to be thriving. (plural, others in general)

These trees need to be sprayed. The other trees look healthy. (plural, specific others)

This rose bush needs trimming. The other rose bush is perfect. (singular)

Another is also used with expressions of money, time, and distance; in these cases, it means “an additional.” Even though many of these expressions are plural, another is the appropriate modifier.

This is not enough. We need another hundred euros.

She will live in this house for another six weeks.

They had to walk another five miles to get here.

Every other indicates alternating items in a series, for example, counting by even numbers: two, four, six, eight, and so on.

Please respond to every other question. (numbers one, three, five, seven)

I speak to my brother every other day. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Exercise 16.1 Fill in the blank with an appropriate noun phrase.

Example another meeting of the board of directors

1. another ...

2. another ...

3. another ...

4. another ...

5. other ...

6. other ...

7. other ...

8. other ...