- Have you ever wondered why we say “every other day” instead of “every second day”?
- Do you struggle to choose between “each other” and “one another” in a professional email?
- Are you confused about when “other” needs an ‘s’ at the end and when it doesn’t?
Mastering other collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. While the word “other” seems simple, it anchors some of the most frequent phrases in the English language. Using these pairings correctly helps you avoid the “translation trap,” reduces language anxiety, and ensures your speech sounds natural to native ears in both social and professional settings.
Common Collocations with OTHER as a Determiner or Adjective
In this role, “other” modifies a noun to indicate something additional or different. It is one of the most versatile building blocks in English syntax.
Time and Frequency Phrases
These collocations help you describe how often something happens or refer to the recent past.
- Every other day/week/month: Meaning skipping one in between.
Example: “I go to the gym every other day to allow my muscles to recover.” - The other day: Meaning a few days ago (very common in 2024 spoken English).
Example: “I ran into Sarah the other day at the supermarket.” - Some other time: A polite way to decline an invitation for now.
Example: “I’m busy tonight, but let’s grab coffee some other time.”
Contrast and Alternatives
These phrases are essential for comparing two things or indicating a different direction.
- On the other hand: Used to introduce a contrasting point of view.
Example: “The new software is expensive; on the other hand, it will save us hours of work.” - The other way around: Meaning the opposite of what was just said.
Example: “I thought you were mad at me, but it was actually the other way around.” - Other things being equal: A formal way to say “if all factors remain the same.”
Example: “Other things being equal, the candidate with more experience will get the job.”
Essential Collocations using OTHER as a Pronoun
When “other” acts as a pronoun, it replaces a noun. This often happens when discussing relationships between people or items in a group.
Reciprocal Relationships
Modern English uses these to show that an action is mutual. While “one another” is slightly more formal, “each other” is the standard in 2024.
- Each other: Used for two or more people.
Example: “The team members always support each other during tight deadlines.” - One another: Often used for larger groups or in formal writing.
Example: “In a globalized world, countries must depend on one another for trade.”
Grouping and Selection
- The others: Referring to the remaining people or things in a specific group.
Example: “Two students stayed behind, but the others went home.” - None other than: Used to emphasize the identity of a person, usually someone famous or surprising.
Example: “The guest speaker was none other than the CEO herself.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Every other… | Adjective Phrase | Alternating; skipping one. |
| On the other hand | Transition/Adverbial | Introducing a contrast. |
| Each other | Pronoun | Mutually/Reciprocally. |
| The other day | Adjective Phrase | Recently; a few days ago. |
| Other than | Prepositional Phrase | Except for; besides. |
| Among others | Adjective Phrase | Including several others not mentioned. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
To reduce language anxiety, it is helpful to recognize that many learners make the same mistakes. Focus on these corrections to sound more like a native speaker.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Another people are coming. | Other people are coming. |
| We saw us yesterday. (meaning mutual) | We saw each other yesterday. |
| I’ll see you in other time. | I’ll see you some other time. |
| Every second day. (less common) | Every other day. |
Contextual Story
“I was talking to my manager the other day about the new project. He mentioned that the budget is tight, but on the other hand, the deadline has been extended. We decided to meet every other Tuesday to check in. I told him that other than a few minor software bugs, everything is on track. It’s important that we support each other as a team so we don’t end up going the other way around and missing our targets.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Other Collocations
What is the difference between ‘other’ and ‘another’?
Use “another” with singular countable nouns (another apple). Use “other” with plural nouns (other apples) or uncountable nouns (other information). Think of “another” as “an + other.”
Is ‘each other’ only for two people?
In the past, grammarians insisted “each other” was for two people and “one another” for more than two. However, in modern 2024 English, native speakers use “each other” for any number of people. “One another” remains a great choice for formal writing.
How do I use ‘other than’ correctly?
“Other than” functions like the word “except.” For example, “I don’t have any plans other than sleeping.” It is very common in both US and UK dialects.
Why do we say ‘every other day’ instead of ‘every two days’?
While “every two days” is grammatically correct, “every other day” is the idiomatic collocation preferred by native speakers. Using it will immediately make you sound more fluent and natural.
When should I use ‘others’ with an ‘s’?
Use “others” only when it is a pronoun replacing a plural noun and is NOT followed by another noun. Correct: “Some people like tea; others prefer coffee.” Incorrect: “I saw others people.” (Use “other people” instead).
This is great! Does the article also touch on 'another' at all? Sometimes I mix up 'another' with 'other' and 'the other'.
That's an excellent question, Clara! While this specific section focuses on 'other,' the nuances between 'another,' 'other,' and 'the other' are definitely on our radar for future content. They represent distinct but related concepts that are crucial for precise communication. Thanks for bringing it up!
In Korean, we have a clear distinction for 'the other day' depending on how long ago it was. This English phrase is very convenient because it's so flexible! Great post.
Could you give an example of 'other' used as a pronoun for people? Like, 'The other people left,' versus just 'The others left.' When is it more appropriate to use one over the other in a sentence?
Certainly, Lena! Both 'The other people left' and 'The others left' are grammatically correct. You would use 'The other people left' when you want to explicitly state that you're talking about 'people.' 'The others left' is more concise and commonly used when it's already clear from context that you're referring to people (or things). For example, if you're discussing a group of friends, 'The others left' is perfectly natural. It's often a matter of conciseness and context!
Translateen.com always comes through with the most useful content! Never thought about 'other' this deeply before. Mind blown!
My biggest struggle is remembering to use 'other' before a plural noun without 's' and 'others' when it stands alone. This post reminded me of the 's' confusion in the intro. Hope the full article dives deeper into that!
You're right to highlight that, Isabella! It's a common stumbling block, and the full article does indeed go into more detail about 'other' as a determiner vs. 'others' as a pronoun. Your active engagement with these grammatical points is exactly what leads to fluency!
As an ESL teacher, this is an excellent resource for explaining common pitfalls. I'll be sharing this with my students. Thank you!
Is there any regional difference (e.g., US vs. UK English) in the usage of 'the other day' or 'every other day'? I'm trying to fine-tune my understanding.
That's a very perceptive question, Omar! Both 'the other day' and 'every other day' are widely used and understood in both US and UK English, and generally across all major English-speaking regions. You can use them confidently without worrying about significant regional variations in meaning or commonality. Your dedication to detail is commendable!
I really appreciate these articles that focus on common, everyday words. They make a huge difference in sounding more natural.
So if I say 'I saw him the other day,' it implies it was recently, but not specifying exact days like 'Monday'? It's a nice, vague way to say 'not long ago' without being too specific, right?
Exactly, Yuki! You've perfectly captured the essence of 'the other day.' It's a versatile phrase for referring to an unspecified recent past, usually within the last few days or weeks, without needing to pinpoint an exact date. It keeps conversation natural and flowing.
This is fantastic. Are there any other common collocations with 'other' that mean 'different from' or 'apart from'? For instance, 'other than' or 'no other choice'?
You're anticipating some great future content, David! Yes, collocations like 'other than' (meaning 'except for' or 'different from') and 'no other choice' are also very common and powerful uses of 'other.' These will be explored in depth as we continue our series on mastering 'other' collocations. Great observation!