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other(s) and another

other and others​

When other is used with a noun it has no plural form.

  • Where are the other photos? (not … the others photos?)

But used alone, without a noun, it can have a plural form.

  • I’ve got one lot of photos. Where are the others?
  • These are too small. Have you got any others?

Normally, other(s) is only used alone if it refers to a noun that has been mentioned before. An exception is the common plural use of (the) others to mean (the) other people.

  • He never thinks of others.
  • Jake’s arrived – I must tell the others.
  • but not On the phone, one cannot see the other or He never listens to another

Not used like an adjective​

Other is a determiner or pronoun; it is not used exactly like an adjective. So it cannot normally have an adverb before it, or be used after a linking verb.

  • I’d prefer a completely different colour. (not … a completely other colour.)
  • You look different with a beard. (not You look other …)
note

For one another, (see here).

‘additional, extra’​

Another (spelt as one word) can mean ‘an additional, extra’. It is used with singular countable nouns.

  • Could I have another piece of bread? (not … an other piece of bread.)

Another can be used without a noun, or with one, if the meaning is clear from what has come before.

  • Those cakes are wonderful. Could I have another (one)?

With uncountable and plural nouns, we normally use more, not other, with this meaning.

  • Would you like some more meat? (not … other meat?)
  • Would you like some more peas? (not … other peas?)

However, we can use another before a plural noun in expressions with few or a number.

  • I’m staying for another few weeks.
  • We need another three chairs.

For other cases where a(n) is followed by a plural, (see here).

‘alternative’​

(An)other can also mean ‘(an) alternative’, ‘besides / instead of this/these’.

  • I think we should paint it another colour.
  • Have you got any other cakes, or are these the only ones?

Other people often means ‘people besides oneself’.

  • Why don’t you think more about other people?