others
Others are people or things that are different from the ones we are already talking about.
Explanation at your level:
You use others to talk about more people. If you have five friends, and two are here, you can say, 'The others are at home.' It is a very useful word for counting and groups!
When you are talking about a group, you can use others to mean 'the rest.' For example, 'Some students like math, but others like art.' It helps you compare different groups easily.
In intermediate English, others is often used to contrast opinions. You might say, 'Some people believe technology is good, while others argue it is distracting.' It is a great way to introduce a counterpoint in a discussion.
At this level, you will notice others used in more abstract contexts, such as 'respecting the opinions of others.' It functions as a key component in complex sentence structures, allowing for nuanced comparisons between sets of data or groups of people.
Advanced learners use others to maintain flow in formal essays. Instead of repeating specific nouns, you can use others to refer back to previously mentioned categories. It is essential for cohesive writing and avoiding redundancy in academic or professional reports.
At the mastery level, others can take on philosophical weight, such as in the concept of 'the Other' in sociology or literature. It represents the boundaries between the self and the rest of society. Understanding this nuance allows you to engage with complex cultural and critical texts with depth.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Plural pronoun
- Means the rest
- Used for contrast
- Very common
When we talk about a group, we often focus on a few specific items first. If we want to mention the rest of the group without listing them all, we use others. It is a very handy pronoun that keeps our sentences short and tidy.
Think of it like having a bowl of fruit. If you pick up an apple and an orange, you might say, 'I like these, but others are still in the bowl.' Here, 'others' refers to the rest of the fruit. It is a friendly, efficient way to communicate!
The word 'others' comes from the Old English word ōther, which essentially meant 'one of two' or 'second.' It has deep Germanic roots, sharing a history with words like the German ander and the Dutch ander.
Over centuries, the word evolved to function as a pronoun. By the Middle English period, it became common to add the plural 's' to distinguish the group from the singular 'other.' It is fascinating how a simple word for 'second' grew into a vital tool for describing groups and inclusivity in modern English.
You will hear others used in almost every context. It is common to say 'some people like this, while others prefer that.' This structure is a classic way to show contrast or variety.
In formal writing, it is often used in phrases like 'the rights of others' or 'in relation to others.' It is a neutral word, meaning it fits perfectly in a business email, a school essay, or a chat with your best friend at a cafe.
1. Do unto others: Treat people the way you want to be treated. 2. The others: Refers to the specific remaining group. 3. Others like him: People who share similar traits. 4. Among others: Used to indicate that there are more examples than the ones listed. 5. To each his own, to others theirs: A way of saying everyone has different tastes.
Pronounced as /ˈʌð.ərz/, the word features a soft 'th' sound. It rhymes with 'mothers' and 'brothers.' Grammatically, 'others' is a plural pronoun, so it always takes a plural verb (e.g., 'others are waiting').
Remember that 'others' is the plural of 'other.' You never say 'an others' because the 's' already makes it plural. It is a straightforward word, but always ensure your verb agrees with the plural nature of the pronoun.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'either'.
Pronunciation Guide
soft th, short u
rhotic r at the end
Common Errors
- mispronouncing th
- adding an extra syllable
- stressing the wrong part
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plural pronouns
Others are here.
Examples by Level
I have two pens; where are the others?
others = the rest
plural pronoun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Some like tea, others like coffee.
I invited John and others.
Are there others coming?
The others are ready.
She helped others today.
Where are the others?
Some are big, others are small.
I need others.
Among others, he mentioned the problem.
We should consider the feelings of others.
Some people are early, while others are late.
The others were not invited.
She works better than others.
Others have tried this before.
I prefer this one to the others.
Talk to others about it.
He stood out from all the others.
Others may disagree with this policy.
The needs of others come first.
Some issues are minor; others are critical.
He was more successful than others.
Others have paved the way.
She is unlike the others.
Consider the perspectives of others.
The research findings were debated by others.
He was considered a leader among others.
Others have argued that the data is flawed.
The rights of others must be protected.
She sought the advice of others.
Others have followed in his footsteps.
He distinguished himself from the others.
Others were skeptical of the plan.
The concept of the Other is central to his work.
Others, by contrast, remained silent.
He was isolated from all others.
Others have long suspected this outcome.
She transcended the limitations of others.
Others may find this interpretation radical.
He spoke for others who could not.
Others are merely shadows in the narrative.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"do unto others"
treat people well
Always do unto others as you would have them do to you.
formal""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
both mean different
another is singular
I want another one vs others are here
Sentence Patterns
Some + [noun] + others + [verb]
Some students study, others play.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
others is already plural
Tips
Plurality
Always use a plural verb.
Contrast
Use 'some... others...'
Th sound
Practice the soft th.
Context
Read more.
Golden Rule
Do unto others.
Origin
Means second.
Avoid 'an'
Never use 'an' with others.
Mnemonic
O-The-Rest.
Formal writing
Use in essays.
Flashcards
Use sentences.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Others = O-The-Rest
Visual Association
A group of people standing apart from one person.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'others' in a sentence today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: second
Cultural Context
None
Used frequently in social etiquette.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- others are studying
- ask others
- help others
Conversation Starters
"What do others think?"
"Do you like helping others?"
"Are others coming?"
"Who are the others?"
"Why do others disagree?"
Journal Prompts
Write about helping others.
Describe a group of others.
Why do others think differently?
How do you treat others?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is always plural.
Test Yourself
I have one book, but ___ are in my bag.
others refers to the rest
Which is correct?
others is plural
Can you say 'an others'?
others is plural
Word
Meaning
idiom usage
some... others... structure
Score: /10
Summary
Others refers to the remaining people or things in a group.
- Plural pronoun
- Means the rest
- Used for contrast
- Very common
Plurality
Always use a plural verb.
Contrast
Use 'some... others...'
Th sound
Practice the soft th.
Context
Read more.
Example
Some people like tea, but others prefer coffee.
Related Content
Related Phrases
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renowned
A1Being widely known and highly respected for a particular skill, quality, or achievement. It describes someone or something that has a positive reputation among many people.
adsciant
C1An adsciant refers to a person who has been formally admitted, summoned, or associated with a particular group, council, or organization, often in a secondary or supplementary capacity. It characterizes someone who is not an original member but has been 'taken in' through a formal process of recognition.
nonsuperious
C1A noun referring to an individual who does not hold a position of superior rank, authority, or status within a specific hierarchy. It is often used in technical or test-specific contexts to categorize participants or roles that lack administrative or leadership power.
adgenor
C1A person, agent, or entity that acts as a secondary or supplementary producer in a creative or biological process. It is primarily used in technical, legal, or test-specific contexts to describe a co-generator that facilitates the primary agent's output.
exnumeress
C1A formal and specialized term for a person, traditionally female, whose official role is to identify and remove items or individuals from a numbered list or census. It describes an agent of exclusion or de-registration within an administrative or archival context.
apologist
B2A person who defends or justifies a particular idea, belief, or person, especially one that is controversial or unpopular. It does not mean someone who says 'sorry,' but rather someone who provides a reasoned argument to support a specific position.
jaime
A1Jaime is a proper noun functioning as a given name, used for both males and females but predominantly males. It is originally of Spanish and Portuguese origin, equivalent to the English name 'James', and is now commonly used in English-speaking contexts. As a name, it identifies a specific person and is always capitalized.
newborn
B1A newborn is an infant that has very recently been born, typically referring to the period from birth up to about one month of age. It is used to describe the earliest stage of human development outside the womb.
volunteers
B1People who freely offer to perform a service or undertake a task without being paid. It is also the third-person singular present form of the verb 'to volunteer', meaning to freely offer to do something.
anyone
C2A singular pronoun used to refer to any person at all, regardless of identity or status, often appearing in questions, negative statements, and conditional clauses. At an advanced level, it functions as a universal quantifier to indicate that a statement applies to every individual within a set without exception.
