Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[__evitame__]

Hi!
Somebody can explain me what is the difference between other an another and when we use each one?

Thanks

[Brian Boyd]

Here are some example sentences:

No! Don't push that button. Push the other one.
My other car is a Porsche.
I saw someone famous the other day.
I know her, but who is that other girl?
Have you got any other questions?

Would you like another cup of tea?
I'm busy on Friday. Can we meet on another day?
Wait! I have another idea!
The road is blocked. We'll have to find another way home.
Oh no, not another problem!

Hope these help you,

Brian

[bud]

It's much easier to explain another than it is to explain other.

Look at Brian's examples for another. In each of them, something is in focus (the first cup of tea, Friday, the first idea, the first road, the first problem). Another is used to express "one more" (a second cup of tea, a second idea, one more problem) or to express "something different" (a different day, a different road). The "something different" is not yet in focus.

Note that "another idea" could mean either "one more" idea or a "different" idea, depending on the context.

As I said, though, other is harder to explain. Often it is used to refer to a choice of two things already in focus (not this button, that one; not that girl, but the one with her). As for the rest of the examples, I don't know how to explain them.

Hope that helps a little.