ESL Learning: Another, Other & The Other

At first, it seems complicated, but there are clear rules that can help us to understand when to use another, other, and the other.

We use another with singular, nonspecific, countable nouns.

• Singular means that we are talking about only one of something.

• Nonspecific represents that we are not referring to a certain one.

• A countable noun is a noun that we can talk about in numbers (for example, 4 shirts).

We can think of another as a/an + one more OR a different one.

Examples:

• Mom, this salad is great! Can I have another serving?

• Excuse me; this glass is dirty. I’d like another glass, please.

We use other with nonspecific plural or uncountable nouns.

• Plural means that there is more than one.

• Uncountable nouns cannot be talked about directly in terms of numbers (for example, entertainment).

Examples:

• I would like some other chances to go to the beach.

• She has some other equipment that we can use for gardening.

We use the other for specific nouns. These specific nouns can be singular, plural, countable, and uncountable nouns, as long as they are specific.

• Specific nouns are nouns that have been introduced before in the conversation or that we can point to.

Examples:

• One of the things that I like about her is that she is really funny. The other thing that I think is great about her is that she is kind.

• He has visited South Korea. The other countries that he has visited in East Asia are Japan and Taiwan.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog! There are many other posts about grammar here on the ETO blog. Would you like some other chances to build your English skills?

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By Joseph

ETO American English teacher

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ESL learning: Travel idioms

Today, we’re going to talk about idioms related to travel.

Travel is something that gives us a lot inspiration, and allows us to learn about the world and ourselves. Travel also helps us to experience more beauty.

As the old saying goes, a flower becomes more beautiful when we say that it is beautiful.

And this is true for travelling the world as well. So let’s get started.

Let’s hit the road

This phrase means to start a journey, to leave a place, or to go away from one’s home.

• Our bags are packed, and my cousin is here to look after the house. It’s time to hit the road!

• We want to be at the beach by tomorrow afternoon, so we should hit the road tomorrow morning about 10 am.

Off the beaten track

This is an idiom used to describe a place that is not visited very often.

• Even though Namhae is off the beaten track for most foreigners, it is a beautiful part of South Korea!

• It takes courage to travel off the beaten track, but as Robert Frost wrote, “I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.”

On the road again

This phrase means that we are travelling another time, looking for more adventure, experience, fun, and beauty.

• We’re on the road again, and we’re having so much fun!

• I can’t wait to get on the road again!

Do you want to hit the road, get off the beaten track or get out on the road again? There are opportunities for you to work from so many beautiful parts of the world. Use English as your vehicle to get there!

If this was interesting or useful to you, you may also be interested in many of our new English topics at EnglishTutorOnline. Get started with a free class today!
 

By Joseph

ETO American English teacher

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