Other vs. Others vs. The other vs. Another – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Read the live news transcript from our lead political correspondent covering a tense, high-stakes trade negotiation between two global superpowers. Pay close attention to how the reporter describes the two opposing sides, and choose the best option to complete the sentences.
1 “Good evening. We are reporting live from Geneva, where the bilateral trade talks have stalled. One nation wants to eliminate tariffs, while ______ nation demands strict protectionist policies.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) the other
(d) others
2 “In a bilateral dispute like this, finding common ground is difficult when neither side is willing to listen to ______ party.”
(a) the other
(b) another
(c) other
(d) others
3 “The chief mediator has desperately proposed ______ compromise, but both delegations remain completely unyielding.”
(a) the other
(b) another
(c) other
(d) others
4 “If these two economic giants trigger a trade war, it will inevitably damage the economies of several ______ countries worldwide.”
(a) another
(b) others
(c) the other
(d) other
5 “As the summit opened, there were exactly two primary proposals on the table. They immediately rejected the first one, and they are now fiercely debating ______ proposal.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) the other
(d) others
6 “Some geopolitical analysts predict a rapid diplomatic resolution, but ______ are warning of a prolonged economic conflict.”
(a) the other
(b) another
(c) other
(d) others
7 “Just ______ day, a senior official leaked a memo suggesting that the negotiations were already on the verge of collapsing.”
(a) another
(b) the other
(c) other
(d) others
8 “The treaty requires the signature of exactly two key corporate CEOs. One has already signed, but ______ has flatly refused.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) others
(d) the other
9 “To avoid a total collapse of the summit, the United Nations has given the two delegations ______ 48 hours to reach a consensus.”
(a) the other
(b) other
(c) another
(d) others
10 “A dispute of this magnitude affects not only the technology sector but also ______ critical industries like agriculture and manufacturing.”
(a) another
(b) others
(c) the other
(d) other
11 “The two rival corporations are locked in a fierce legal battle. If Company A files a lawsuit, ______ company will immediately countersue.”
(a) other
(b) another
(c) the other
(d) others
12 “There are two major export routes in this region. Due to the sudden embargo, one route is completely blocked, forcing all cargo ships to use ______.”
(a) another
(b) the other
(c) other
(d) others
13 “If this specific bilateral agreement falls apart today, it could take years to draft ______ treaty of this scale.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) the other
(d) others
14 “The aggressive tariff increase has divided the global community. Some nations have expressed support, while ______ have strongly condemned the action.”
(a) the other
(b) another
(c) other
(d) others
15 “During the press conference, there were two spokespersons. One aggressively defended the new policies, while ______ spokesperson nervously tried to dodge reporters’ questions.”
(a) another
(b) the other
(c) other
(d) others
16 “We cannot afford ______ year of these devastating economic sanctions; the global supply chain is already breaking.”
(a) other
(b) the other
(c) others
(d) another
17 “Both sides must recognize that in a modern bilateral partnership, undermining ______ side only leads to mutual destruction.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) the other
(d) others
18 “The European delegation brought forward their demands this morning. We are currently waiting for ______ to present their counter-offer.”
(a) the others
(b) another
(c) other
(d) others
19 “They are considering two drastically different approaches: one involves military escalation, and ______ involves heavy financial sanctions.”
(a) another
(b) other
(c) the other
(d) others
20 “While these two superpowers dominate the headlines, it is crucial not to ignore the perspectives of ______ participating members of the World Trade Organization.”
(a) another
(b) the other
(c) other
(d) others
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (c) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): The context states “bilateral,” meaning there are exactly two nations involved. “One nation” is the first; the specific, remaining nation is “the other nation.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third nation). (b) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural pronoun).
2 (a) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): In a bilateral dispute, there are only two parties. If you are on one side, your opponent is the specific, definite remaining side: “the other party.”
- Error Analysis: (b) another (Implies a third, random party). (c) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural pronoun).
3 (b) another
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Compromise” is a singular countable noun. The mediator is offering “one more” or “a new/different” alternative. Another + Singular Noun.
- Error Analysis: (a) the other (Implies there were exactly two possible compromises in the world). (c) other (Requires a plural noun). (d) others (Pronoun).
4 (d) other
- Why it is correct (The Key): Other + Plural Noun (“countries”). Refers to additional, unspecified countries that will be affected.
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Singular). (b) others (Pronoun; cannot be placed directly before the noun “countries”). (c) the other (Would mean specific remaining countries, but this is a general statement).
5 (c) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): The sentence establishes “exactly two primary proposals.” The first was rejected; the specific remaining proposal is “the other proposal.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third proposal). (b) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural pronoun).
6 (d) others
- Why it is correct (The Key): Others acts as a plural pronoun meaning “other analysts.” It stands alone to contrast with “Some geopolitical analysts.”
- Error Analysis: (a) the other (Singular). (b) another (Singular). (c) other (Requires a noun after it).
7 (b) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The other day” is a standard, fixed English idiom meaning “a few days ago” or “recently.” It is extremely common in journalistic and professional English.
- Error Analysis: (a) another, (c) other, (d) others do not form this time-based idiom.
8 (d) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): There are “exactly two key corporate CEOs.” One signed. The second one, acting as a pronoun replacing “the other CEO,” is simply “the other.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third CEO). (b) other (Needs a noun). (c) others (Plural pronoun).
9 (c) another
- Why it is correct (The Key): Advanced Rule: Another + Number + Plural Noun. “Another 48 hours” acts as a single, additional block of time granted for negotiation.
- Error Analysis: (a) the other, (b) other, (d) others cannot be used before a number to quantify an additional amount of time.
10 (d) other
- Why it is correct (The Key): Other + Plural Noun (“industries”). Refers to general, unspecified industries outside of the tech sector.
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Singular). (b) others (Pronoun; cannot precede the noun). (c) the other (Implies a specific, known set of remaining industries).
11 (c) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): There are “two rival corporations.” Company A is the first. Company B is the specific, remaining company: “the other company.”
- Error Analysis: (a) other (Needs a plural noun). (b) another (Implies a third company). (d) others (Plural pronoun).
12 (b) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Two major export routes.” One is blocked. Cargo must use the specific, single remaining route, acting as a pronoun here: “the other.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third route). (c) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural pronoun).
13 (a) another
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Treaty” is a singular countable noun. They would have to draft “a completely new/different” single treaty.
- Error Analysis: (b) other (Requires a plural noun). (c) the other (Implies exactly two treaties exist). (d) others (Pronoun).
14 (d) others
- Why it is correct (The Key): Others is a plural pronoun standing in for “other nations.” It contrasts with the first group (“Some nations”).
- Error Analysis: (a) the other (Singular). (b) another (Singular). (c) other (Requires a noun).
15 (b) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): The context sets up “two spokespersons.” One defended the policies; the remaining one out of the pair is “the other spokesperson.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third spokesperson). (c) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural).
16 (d) another
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Year” is a singular countable noun. The speaker means “one more” year. Another + Singular Noun.
- Error Analysis: (a) other (Requires a plural noun). (b) the other (Implies a specific year). (c) others (Pronoun).
17 (c) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): In a “bilateral partnership” (two sides), if you are on one side, your partner/opponent is exactly “the other side.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third side). (b) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural).
18 (a) the others
- Why it is correct (The Key): In this bilateral context (e.g., EU vs. USA), the European delegation is one group. The opposing delegation (a specific, closed group of people) is referred to definitively with the plural pronoun the others.
- Error Analysis: (b) another (Singular). (c) other (Needs a noun). (d) others (General, unspecified people, but here we are waiting for the specific opposing delegation).
19 (c) the other
- Why it is correct (The Key): They are considering “two drastically different approaches.” One is military; the specific remaining option is “the other.”
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Implies a third approach). (b) other (Needs a plural noun). (d) others (Plural).
20 (c) other
- Why it is correct (The Key): Other + Plural Noun (“participating members”). Refers to the general, additional members of the WTO outside of the two superpowers.
- Error Analysis: (a) another (Singular). (b) the other (Would mean specific remaining members, but “other members” works better as an open-ended adjective here). (d) others (Pronoun; cannot precede the noun).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
When reporting on conflicts, negotiations, or comparisons, the vocabulary you use signals exactly how many parties are involved.
1 THE OTHER (The Bilateral Rule):
- When a situation is “bilateral” (bi = two), there are exactly two sides, parties, or choices. You always refer to your opponent or the alternative option as “the other“.
- Why? Because if there are two sides, and you are side A, side B is the specific, definite remaining entity.
- Example: “In a divorce settlement, neither side wants to listen to the other party.”
2 OTHER + Plural Noun (General Additions):
- Use Other as an adjective before plural nouns to introduce general, additional entities that are not part of the primary focus.
- Example: “The trade war between the US and China affects other countries too.”
3 OTHERS (Contrasting Viewpoints):
- Use Others as a plural pronoun to replace “other people” or “other groups.” It is heavily used in journalism to report contrasting opinions.
- Example: “Some experts predict a resolution; others predict disaster.”
4 ANOTHER (Additional Time or Alternatives):
- Use Another + Singular Noun when mentioning a new, third alternative (e.g., another treaty).
- Use Another + Number + Plural Noun to express an extension of time (e.g., another 48 hours, another two weeks).