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Lcchang Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

other vs. others

I am confused about when to use these two words properly. Please help.

Some people prefer learning a new computer program by reading the manual, while ____ prefers to play around with it.

A) others
B) another
C) the others
D) some other

I know B) is not a good answer, and D) seems to be better added the word "people". Right?

What about A) and C)? Which is better? Wh or why not? Please advise.

LCChang
  

Top answer

You are right about B and D. You need a plural, because you need a pronoun to fill the idea of other people . In this sentence we are not speaking of all the people in the world (which could be divided into ' some ' and ' the others '-- thus making up 100%); we are only speaking of some people and some other people -- or some people and ( some ) others .

— Mister Micawber

  • You are right about B and D.
  • You need a plural, because you need a pronoun to fill the idea of other people .
  • In this sentence we are not speaking of all the people in the world (which could be divided into ' some ' and ' the others '-- thus making up 100%); we are only speaking of some people and some other people -- or some people and ( some ) others .
  • Only A is right.
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9 Answers
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You are right about B and D. You need a plural, because you need a pronoun to fill the idea of other people. In this sentence we are not speaking of all the people in the world (which could be divided into 'some' and 'the others'-- thus making up 100%); we are only speaking of some people and some other people-- or some people and (some) oth
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Mister MicawberYou are right about B and D. You need a plural, because you need a pronoun to fill the idea of other people. In this sentence we are not speaking of all the people in the world (which could be divided into 'some' and 'the others'-- thus making up 100%); we are only speaking of some people and some other people-- or so
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Oops. Looks like the ol' tunnel vision is acting up again. Thanks, Jim.
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So there's probably something wrong in the stem of this item, right?

CJ
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Sorry. It should be others prefer. My typo.

LC
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Mister MicawberOops. Looks like the ol' tunnel vision is acting up again. Thanks, Jim.

I don't understand. Please tell me what that means.

LC
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A joke, of sorts. Tunnel vision is being preoccupied with what is directly in front of you, and noticing nothing of the surroundings. I was focussed on your other / others problem and did not notice the lack of concord between the verb and the subject in the dependent clause. California Jim, that practical man of language, caught it immediately.
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Maybe you were just too concentrated on my question, but is doesn't affect your expertise in English. Thanks to you and CJ.

LC
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