Grammar · Articles & Determiners
Another, Other & Others
One more, some more, or the rest? Three small words, one clear pattern, with the film Brother Bear.
Grammar › Articles & Determiners › Another, Other & Others
The rule in one sentenceanother + one thing means “one more” or “a different one”; other + plural noun means “more of them”; others stands alone, with no noun, for the rest of a group.
About the film
Brother Bear is a film from 2003. Kenai is a young man with two older brothers, Sitka and Denahi. One day, magic turns Kenai into a bear. He meets Koda, a little bear who talks all the time, and they travel together to a mountain. On the way they meet two funny moose, Rutt and Tuke, and many other bears. Kenai learns that bears are not so different from people. Koda becomes another brother to him.
What does it do?
These three words all talk about “more” or “different” things. The job of each word depends on what comes after it.
another is one word. It goes before one thing. other goes before plural things, like bears or brothers. others stands alone, with no noun after it. It means “the other ones”.
Look at the last tile. When there are only two, and you know both, the second one is the other. It can stand alone or go before a noun.
Some fixed phrases use these words. Learn them as one piece:
Koda eats one fish, then another, then another. The other bears laugh at him.
“Another” = one more fish each time. “The other bears” = the rest of the group.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
another — one more, or a different one
Koda tells another story about the salmon run.
Kenai doesn’t want another long walk.
not + verb + another + one thingIs there another way up the mountain?
another = a different oneother — more of them
Koda plays with the other young bears.
Rutt and Tuke don’t see any other moose.
any other + plural nounWhere are the others?
others stands alone, no noun after itWhen to use each one
another — one thing
other / others — more things
Words that help: one or more?
Look at the noun after the word. That tells you which one to use.
another → one thing
other / others → more than one
Common mistakes
❌ Koda wants an other fish.
✅ Koda wants another fish.
“Another” is always one word.
❌ The others bears are at the river.
✅ The other bears are at the river.
A noun comes after it, so use “other” with no -s.
❌ Kenai wants other bear as a friend.
✅ Kenai wants another bear as a friend.
“Bear” is one thing, so use “another”.
❌ Some bears sleep, and other play.
✅ Some bears sleep, and others play.
No noun after it, so use “others” with -s.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“Every other” does not mean “all the others”. It means one, then skip one, then one again.
✅ Koda tells a story every other night. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday …)
✅ Kenai knows all the other bears now. (the rest of them, every one)
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. Koda wants ___ fish.
One fish, one more → another.
2. The ___ bears are at the river.
A noun comes after it → other.
3. Some bears sleep. ___ play in the water.
No noun after it → others.
4. Kenai has two brothers. One is Sitka, and ___ is Denahi.
Two known brothers, so the second is → the other.
5. Tell me ___ story, Koda!
One story, one more → another.
6. Rutt and Tuke help each ___.
The fixed phrase is “each other”.
7. Kenai goes first. ___ follow him.
The rest of the group, no noun after it → the others.
8. Is there ___ way to the mountain?
One way, a different one → another.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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