What is another? Pronunciation and usage in English

another means . Learn how to pronounce and use another through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of another

anotherdeterminer

/əˈnʌðə/
Definition & pronunciation of another

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "another" in English. It's a tricky one for learners because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules!

Here's the most common and accurate pronunciation:

** /ˈænʌðər /**

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈan: This sounds like the beginning of the word "an" - very short, quick, and almost like "ahn." It's a schwa sound (the "uh" sound), but more emphasized than a typical schwa.
  • ʌð: This is the tricky part. It's a diphthong – a blend of two vowel sounds. It sounds something like the "u" in "but" but shorter and slightly more rounded. Think of it as a quick "uh" sound with a slight "oo" quality.
  • er: This sounds like the "er" in "her."

Putting it together: It’s pronounced almost like "ahn-uth-er." The "uth" is that blended vowel sound.

Tips for mastering it:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce another" on YouTube or use a dictionary website like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary. They have audio pronunciations. Here are some links:

  • Record yourself and compare: Record yourself saying the word and then compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

  • Isolate the "uth" sound: Practice just the "uth" sound combination – “uhth” – to get comfortable with it.

  • Don't overemphasize the "er": The “er” at the end is relatively light and quick.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide additional examples of words with similar vowel sounds?
  • Give you a more detailed explanation of diphthongs?

Usage and examples with the word another in English

Let's break down how to use the word "another" effectively in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different nuances. Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. As an Adjective (Meaning “One More”)

  • Most Common Usage: This is the most frequent way "another" is used. It means "one more" of something.
    • Example: "I want another slice of pizza." (I want one more slice.)
    • Example: "Please pass me another glass of water." (Pass me one more glass.)
    • Example: “She painted another picture.” (She painted one more picture.)

2. As a Pronoun (Referring to Something Already Mentioned)

  • Replacing a Noun: "Another" can stand in for something you’ve already talked about.
    • Example: "I bought a book. Another person told me it was great." (Referring back to "a book".)
    • Example: "He visited London last year. Another European city is on his list.” (Referring back to London.)

3. As an Adverb (Describing Manner – Less Common)

  • Adding to a Previous Action: This usage is less frequent and often sounds a bit formal. It means “in addition” or "as well."
    • Example: “He spoke loudly, another person then began to shout.” (Meaning: In addition to his loud speaking, someone else shouted.)
    • Example: “She’s fluent in Spanish and another language.” (Meaning: Additionally, she's fluent in another language.)

4. With Quantifiers (Like "Many," "Few," "Some")

  • Adding an Additional Quantity: "Another" is often used with these quantifiers.
    • Example: "I have another three apples." (I have three more apples.)
    • Example: "There were another five students in the class." (There were five more students.)

Key Points & Considerations:

  • Articles: “Another” usually appears before a singular noun.

    • Incorrect: "I want another apple." (Try "I want an apple.") This is where it gets tricky – when to use “another” versus “an.” “Another” is generally used when the thing being referred to is already understood or when you're explicitly adding one more. "An" is more common when referring to a general, unspecified quantity.

  • Double “Another”: Avoid using "another another." It’s redundant.

  • Formal vs. Informal: “Another” is generally considered slightly more formal than using “one more.”

Let’s test your understanding:

Fill in the blank with “another” or “an”:

  1. I bought ________ book yesterday.
  2. Can I have ________ cup of coffee, please?
  3. He spoke ________ time about the problem.

Answers:

  1. another
  2. another
  3. another

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use “another”?
  • Explain the difference between "another" and "an" in more detail?
  • Practice creating sentences with "another"?

Synonyms for the word another

Idioms of the word another

of one kind, sort, etc. or another
used when you are referring to various types of a thing, without saying exactly what you mean
  • We've all got problems of one kind or another.
one after another/the other
first one person or thing, and then another, and then another, up to any number or amount
  • The bills kept coming in, one after another.

Practice with vocabulary another

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After finishing her presentation, she decided to prepare __________ one for the meeting next week.
  2. He was so tired that he asked for __________ cup of coffee to stay awake.
  3. The manager suggested using a __________ approach to solve the problem, but the team disagreed.
  4. She realized she had left her keys at home and had to take __________ route to get inside.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. I don’t like this shirt. Can I try __________ one?
    a) another
    b) other
    c) the other
    d) more

  2. We need to find __________ solution to this issue before the deadline.
    a) another
    b) additional
    c) extra
    d) different

  3. He has already read one book and is starting __________.
    a) another
    b) the other
    c) more
    d) some

  4. The problems with this project are __________ than we expected.
    a) another
    b) greater
    c) different
    d) easier

  5. She wasn’t satisfied with the results and wanted to try __________ method.
    a) another
    b) alternative
    c) extra
    d) similar

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: This strategy didn’t work, so we should consider a different approach.
    Rewrite: This strategy didn’t work, so we should consider __________ approach.

  2. Original: She finished one task and immediately started the next.
    Rewrite: She finished one task and immediately started __________.

  3. Original: The team didn’t like the first idea, so they proposed something else.
    Rewrite: The team didn’t like the first idea, so they proposed __________.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. another
  2. another
  3. different
  4. another

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) another
  2. a) another / b) additional / d) different
  3. a) another
  4. b) greater / c) different
  5. a) another / b) alternative

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. This strategy didn’t work, so we should consider another approach.
  2. She finished one task and immediately started another.
  3. The team didn’t like the first idea, so they proposed an alternative.

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