Indefinite Pronouns: one/ones/others/the other/the others
An indefinite pronoun refers to a general, vague, or unknown person, object, group, or amount. Most of the time, the referred-to object is identified elsewhere in the sentence or doesn’t need to be precisely identified.
▶️ Indefinite pronouns: one/ones
“One” is used to refer to a singular countable noun, and “ones” is used to refer to two or more things or people.
My shirt didn't fit, so I bought a new one.
She traded in her old phone for one with better features.
My glasses are broken. I need new ones.
Let's look at the photos. The ones you took in Tokyo.
I saw a cute Baby Yoda keychain online and ordered one for myself.
▶️ Indefinite pronoun: another
"Another" is used to refer to an additional person or thing of the same type. For instance, in the sentence "I would like another cup of coffee," "another" is used as an indefinite pronoun to refer to an additional cup of coffee. Here are more example sentences:
I saw two sweaters. One is red, and another is blue.
We learned in lesson 4 that “another” can be used as a "quantifier" to modify nouns, followed by singular countable nouns.
I don't like this restaurant. Let's go to another one around the corner.
Another thing I love about the city is the beautiful scenery.
Can you fit another person in your car or do we have to take two cars?
▶️ Indefinite pronoun: others
"Others" is used to refer to additional people or things, usually of the same type that has already been mentioned. For instance, in the sentence "Some people like to play sports, others prefer to watch movies," "others" is used as an indefinite pronoun to refer to a different group of people. Here are more example sentences:
Some kids like indoor activities while others like outdoor activities.
One of the visitors is in a conference room. Others are in a lobby.
▶️ Indefinite pronoun: the other
"The other" is usually used to refer to one more person or thing, or an alternative person or thing, in addition to the one or ones that you have mentioned. Here are example sentences:
Emily has two sisters. One is younger. The other is older.
I saw three sweaters. One is red, another is blue, and the other is white.
We learned in Lesson 4 that “the other” can be used as a quantifier to modify nouns. Here are example sentences:
I can't find the other sock.
Kevin has three friends. One is there. The other friends are at home.
I have handed in one assignment, but I haven't finished the other assignments.
The first three cupcakes were delicious, but the other cupcakes tasted a bit stale.
Of all the pizzas we ordered, the pepperoni was the first to go. The other pizzas were left untouched.
▶️ Indefinite pronoun: the others
"The others" is used to refer to the rest of the people or things in a group or set that you have already mentioned. Here are example sentences:
Some of my friends have arrived. The others are still on the way.
The first three cupcakes were delicious, but the others tasted a bit stale.
Of all the pizzas we ordered, the pepperoni was the first to go. The others were left untouched.
▶️ Indefinite pronouns: each other/one another
Reciprocal pronouns are used to indicate a two-way relationship or action involving the subjects of the sentence. In English, there are two reciprocal pronouns: "each other" and "one another." They are often used interchangeably in modern English, but traditionally, they have slightly different uses:
Each Other
Traditionally, "each other" is used when referring to two entities or members of a pair. It indicates a reciprocal action or relationship where each member of the pair is doing something to or with the other.
John and Mary helped each other.
John and Mary looked at each other and smiled during their wedding ceremony.
The two athletes congratulated each other on their performance.
One Another
Traditionally, "one another" is used for groups of more than two. It also indicates a reciprocal action or relationship among the members of the group.
The students in the class shared their ideas with one another during the group discussion.
During the team building exercise, the colleagues learned to trust one another more deeply.
The members of the choir have to listen to one another carefully to maintain harmony.
TOEIC Example: In light of the increasing demand for RW Design's clothing products, the company will launch one line of clothing in February and ______ in May.
(A) each other
(B) one another
(C) other
(D) another
The correct answer is (D) another.
The term 'another' in English is used to refer to an additional thing or amount, something of the same kind but different than the first. The context here is the launch of a line of clothing, a singular, countable noun. 'Another' is most suitable for the context, implying that a different, additional line of clothing will be launched in May.
(A) 'Each other' is used to refer to two or more people or things, previously mentioned, regarded and identified separately. It does not fit the context here as only one line of clothing is mentioned at a time.
(B) 'One another' is used to indicate mutual actions or relationship. It is normally used to refer to three or more people or things. In this context, it doesn't fit because the lines of clothing are not relating to or acting upon each other.
(C) 'Other' is used to refer to the second of two things or people previously mentioned or implied. It would not work in this context because 'other' requires a plural noun. The context here refers to a singular noun ('line' of clothing), so 'another' would be the correct option. |
TOEIC Example: One secretary stayed in the conference room and set up the projector, while ______ went to the copy room to gather the printed documents.
(A) other
(B) the other
(C) each other
(D) one
The correct answer is (B) the other.
In the sentence, we are talking about two secretaries. Therefore, we need to use a form of 'other' to denote the second secretary. 'The other' is used to refer to the second of two things or people already mentioned or implied.
(A) 'Other' without 'the' would normally be used with plural nouns, and in this case, we are only referring to one other secretary, not multiple. So, it's incorrect in this context.
(C) 'Each other' is used when we are referring to two or more people or things, previously mentioned, considered together. It is used to show a reciprocal relationship, for example, "They looked at each other." It doesn’t fit in this sentence context.
(D) 'One' would be incorrect as it doesn’t provide a clear reference to who or what 'one' refers to. It could be anyone, not necessarily the second secretary, making it ambiguous and incorrect in this sentence. |
TOEIC Example: While a few of the suppliers agreed to the wholesales' request for discounts, ______ were unwilling to reduce their product's prices.
(A) other
(B) the other
(C) others
(D) one
The correct answer is (C) others.
"Others" is a pronoun used to refer to 'the remaining people or things in a group or set' or 'people or things that are similar or related to those already mentioned.' In this context, "others" refers to the remaining suppliers who are unwilling to reduce their prices.
(A) "other" is incorrect because it is an adjective that requires a noun to follow it. In this context, there's no noun after "other", hence it's incorrect.
(B) "the other" is incorrect because it refers to one or some of a thing or number of things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge. It suggests that there are only two suppliers, which is not suggested in the sentence.
(D) "one" is incorrect because it would imply that there was only one supplier who was unwilling to reduce their prices, which contradicts the plural verb 'were.' |