Learn English Vocabulary: OTHER, ANOTHER, OTHERS, THE OTHER, OTHERWISE

Adam: Hi. Welcome to www.engvid.com. My name is Adam. Today, I'm going to give

you a bit of a hybrid lesson; "hybrid" meaning a mix of two things. We're going

to look at some vocab, but it's also very important to remember that it's

actually a grammar topic that we're looking at here. So, it's both grammar

and vocab. We're going to be looking at the word: "other", "others", "the

other", "the others", and "another". Okay? Many students ask me how to use

these words, because they seem a little bit confusing; they don't know the

numbers that go with them. But not to worry, we'll clear all this up today.

Before we begin to look at each one individually, the most important thing

to remember about these words is that they must refer to something already

mentioned, whatever the topic is. "Refer" means point back to. Good. So,

here, my pretty, little students, we're going to look at: "my students". Okay?

And we're going to apply all these words to any situation where they can be used.

Okay? So, for example: I work in a school. I have my class; it's a small

class. "Other teachers" have their classes. So, right away, we're talking

about my... me, as a teacher, and my class. We're talking about "other

teachers". So, right away, you notice the word "other" I'm using as an

adjective. Okay? When I use the word: "others", we must use it as a noun, but

I'll explain that as we go. So, these are my students. And I know I'm not the

best artist, but I'll do my best. I have three students in my class. One student

is Japanese. I'll just say like this for short. Okay? I have two students left.

So, I mentioned my first student. So, this is now my topic. So, all of these

words, now, are going to refer back to that topic: Students. Okay? So, I have

three students; one student is Japanese, "another student"... "another student"

is, let's say, a Mexican. I have a very international class. I have a Japanese

student; "another student" is Mexican. Now, why did I use "another"? Because I

have two students left, you don't know which one I'm going to speak about; it's

very general. Okay? Remember: The difference between "the other" and

"another" is the same as the difference between "the" and "an"? Specific

"other"; "any other". The difference is — very important to remember — this is

always together; one word. You don't write: "An other". You don't separate;

always together. So, I have three students. One student is Japanese;

"another student" is Mexican. There's only one student left. What am I going

to use to refer to this student? Because there's only one, I'm going to use: "the

other". So, one student is Japanese; "another" is Mexican; and "the other"

is, let's say, Saudi. Okay? I have students from all over the world; I'm a

very happy teacher. Okay. So, now, I have my three students.

Now, I want to talk about my whole class. Okay? "My students are very

hardworking; other students", meaning in other classes, okay? — "they don't work

as hard as my students". But that's a good thing — right? — for me. So, I have

my students; there are other students in other classes. "The others" — now I'm

talking specifically about those students. So, now, I'm talking about

"the others". "The others" means the other students. Here, I used "the other"

as an adjective, and I used "the others" as a noun — very important to remember

the difference; same thing with "other" and "others". "Other" you must always

have a noun following — "other" something; "others" is a noun. Some

students are very hardworking; "others" not so much. Some students are very

hardworking; "other students" not so much. Okay? So, now you understand

basically the difference between the three. I must have a noun following

"others". Following "other" — sorry — "others" is a noun; "the other"... Now,

"the other" can be an adjective or a noun. Let's say I only have two

students. One student is Japanese; "the other" is Mexican. It's understood,

because I told you I only have two. So, if I told you one, you understand "the

other" is automatically the second one of the two. Okay? So, I don't need to

give you any more information. Now, in "another class", let's say they have

four students. There are two classes in the school. My class has two students;

"the other" class has four. Okay? These students... the problem in this class —

they don't like "one another". Okay? So, here, I'm using it as a noun as well. I

could also use this as an adjective. This student is Chinese; "another

student" is Korean. I could say: "another student" again, or I could say:

"a third student is", let's say, Yemeni. I had a Yemeni student not too long ago.

And "the last student"... Now, here, you notice I'm not using "other" anymore;

when you get... your list becomes too long, you don't want to use: "other",

"another", "the other", "the other" — too many. So, here, I would say: "the

last" because this is the last person I'm speaking about. "He or she is from

Germany." Okay, good. So, everybody clear on what we're going here? Now, for

those of you who are going to be taking a test — IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, etcetera —

these are very, very good and practical words to use on your essay. And

understanding how they work will also very much help your reading. Okay? So,

I'm going to... we're going to look now at a few examples of how this is used in

writing.

Okay, so what we're looking at now is, for those of you taking... again, taking

the TOEFL, IELTS TOEIC, etcetera, when you're going to write your essay — now,

the most common question on these tests is: "Which do you prefer?" or "Which is

better?" or things like that. "A or B?" for example. Okay? So, you're gonna have

to make a choice; you're going to choose A, and you're gonna have to say why you

chose A. You have reasons X, Y, Z, for example. You could have fewer; you could

have more. Not important right now. You're gonna write your introduction,

telling me your opinion, telling me why you think so. You're gonna start your

body paragraph; you're gonna give me the first reason you chose A. "A is better

because of reason X." Make it more concrete. "Is it better to live in the

big city or in the countryside?" Very common TOEFL question. Okay? So, you're

gonna say: "It's better to live in the big city. The big city is better because

there are more job opportunities." Okay? Great. You're going to explain why;

you're going to give examples, etcetera. Now, you can start your next body

paragraph by saying: "Another reason A is better is", etcetera. "Another reason

the big city is better is because there is more cultural life; better nightlife.

You can meet more people", whatever your reason. But this is an excellent

transition point; an excellent transition term, if you can't think of

any other one. Okay? Now you're using "another" because I don't know how many

you're gonna talk about here. You talk about this one. If you only had two

reasons, how would you begin this? You would begin by saying: "The other reason

A is better", etcetera. But because you're gonna go to three, and this is

only your second, you're using "another". Now, not all of you are going

to be taking these tests; but at some point, you're probably gonna have to

take some sort of test that involves reading. Very important: When you're

reading — excuse me — and you're seeing the word: "another", or "the other", or

"others" — right away, what must you understand? That something was already

mentioned before. This is at least the second; maybe third or fourth, but

definitely not the first time. So, if you're taking a test and they're asking

you to give the two reasons for something — when you see this, you know

you have to go back to look for that first reason. Okay? So, very, very

simple. "Another" — when there's more than one available; "the other" — when

there's only one available; "the others" — when it's groups, let's say; "other" —

with an adjective, "other reasons"; and "others" is a noun — means the same

thing as "other" — noun, etcetera. Good. But two more things I want to talk about

before we conclude, and also very good transitions; very common expressions.

Sometimes students get confused with them. Let's have a look at these.

Okay, so here I have a little bonus for you: Two more expressions that are

commonly used; especially good for writing; also for reading: "otherwise"

and "other than". Okay? These often confuse students who are learning

English. "Otherwise" basically means if not what was mentioned before, then

something will happen. It's the same as an "if not, then something will happen"

clause. So, for example: "Practice every day." This is good advice, but also for

grammar. "Practice every day." And a little bonus for you: You can use the

semicolon here; people love to see the semicolon. If you can use this on an

essay — extra bonus points. Semicolon: "otherwise, you won't improve". What

does this mean? This means: "If you don't practice every day, you will not

improve." It's very simple. You can put it any way you like; you can even start

a sentence with this word. Excellent, excellent transition points. Let's use a

semicolon bonus. "Other than". "Other than" can mean more than or not

including. "So, they don't make anything other than cars." Okay? So, let's say,

for example, Mitsubishi Motors. I think everybody knows Mitsubishi Motors.

Mitsubishi makes cars; they make trucks, they make computers, they make printers,

they make all kinds of stuff. When I buy a car, I want a company that only makes

cars, so I know they're concentrating on the cars. So, for example, Chevy — you

don't see any Chevy computers or Chevy guitars, or anything like that; only

cars and trucks. "They don't make anything other than cars" means they

only make cars. "Other than cars, they don't make anything. Not including cars,

they don't make anything." Okay? Two extra words — good transitions — you'll

get a little extra bonus points for knowing the vocab; getting the variety

in your essays. And if you're not sure how to use this; you're still a little

bit confused — please go to www.engvid.com. There's a little quiz;

you can practice these expressions, plus "other", "another", "the other". And you

can always ask questions on that site. Okay? Please come back and visit us.

We'll have lots of lessons for you to look at. I hope to see you again.

Bye-bye.