Another — One More or a Different One — English Grammar Exercises
One or ones? Another or the other? Other or others? 60 exercises on substitution pronouns and the most confused words in English at B1–B2.
Another: One More or a Different One
Another combines 'an' and 'other' into a single word and carries two related meanings: (1) one more of the same — 'Can I have another cup of tea?' — and (2) a different one — 'This pen doesn't work. Give me another.' Both meanings share the key property that the supply is open-ended: more are available. Research on learner English identifies two recurrent errors with 'another': writing it as two words ('an other') and using it before a plural noun ('another ones', 'another colours'), which confuses it with 'other'.
Another = One More (same type)
He failed the driving test, so he'll take it another time. (one more occasion)
I need to check another few things first. (a few more — fixed phrase)
Another = A Different One
This pen doesn't work. Give me another. (a different pen)
That's not a good excuse. You'll have to think of another one.
Common Mistakes
✗ Can you give me another ones? → ✓ other ones. (another is always singular)
✗ I'd like to see another colours. → ✓ other colours. (plural noun requires 'other')
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'another' and 'the other'?
'Another' means one more of an open set, or a different one: 'Can I have another cup of tea?' — there are many cups available. 'The other' refers to the remaining one of a closed, known set — typically a pair: 'I have two sisters. One lives in London; the other lives in Paris.' The key test: if the total number is fixed and you are pointing to the remaining item, use 'the other'. If you are adding one more from an unlimited supply, use 'another'.
When do you use 'one' vs 'ones' as a pronoun?
'One' replaces a singular countable noun to avoid repetition: 'I don't like this shirt — can I try the blue one?' (= the blue shirt). 'Ones' replaces a plural countable noun: 'I don't like these shoes — have you got cheaper ones?' (= cheaper shoes). Neither 'one' nor 'ones' can replace an uncountable noun — you cannot say 'I need water, have you got one?'
What is the difference between 'others' and 'the others'?
'Others' (without 'the') refers to other people or things in general — the group is open and unspecified: 'Some people prefer tea; others prefer coffee.' 'The others' (with 'the') refers to the remaining members of a specific, identifiable group: 'Three students passed. The others all failed.' The rule mirrors the general principle of the definite article: 'the' is used when both speaker and listener know exactly which ones are meant.
Can 'another' be used before a plural noun?
In standard use, 'another' is always singular — it cannot precede a plural noun directly: say 'other colours', not 'another colours'. There are two apparent exceptions: 'another few minutes' and 'another couple of days', where 'another' functions as a determiner for the entire noun phrase rather than the noun alone. Outside these fixed phrases, use 'other' before plural nouns.