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.