others

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "others" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to additional people or things that are not specified or mentioned. Example: "Some students prefer to study alone, while others thrive in group settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what about others?

The Economist

Others disagree.

The New York Times

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.

The New York Times

"The British government is working with others in the world to bring peace to Gaza and we do now have a tentative ceasefire which we all hope will hold".

The Guardian

Others were terrified, frightened, confused, angry, intimidated and tearful".

The Guardian

Others want to find things that support what they want the party to do in the future.

The Guardian

But there are others.

The New York Times

Any others?

The New York Times

Others made millions of dollars making him richer.

The New York Times

Others agree.

The New York Times

History will be as kind to him as he was to others.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "others", ensure the context clearly identifies the group from which these individuals are being distinguished. Ambiguity can arise if the reference group is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "others" to refer to a single entity. "Others" is a plural noun and requires a plural verb or pronoun to maintain grammatical correctness. If you want to refer to a singular subject, use "another" or "someone else".

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "others" is to serve as a plural noun, referring to people or things that are additional to or different from those already mentioned. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "others" functions as a plural noun generally used to refer to additional or remaining individuals or items. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, and is considered appropriate for neutral registers. When using "others", be sure to ensure that the intended group is clear from context and maintain verb agreement. Consider "other people", "the rest" or "additional individuals" as possible alternatives depending on your specific purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

other people

Emphasizes the human aspect, focusing specifically on individuals.

the rest

Implies the remaining members of a group after some have been specified.

additional individuals

Formal and emphasizes separate, distinct persons besides the ones already mentioned.

some others

Indicates a portion of a larger unspecified group.

those remaining

Focuses on the aspect of remaining or surviving.

remaining parties

Highlights those who are left or remain in a situation or group.

different persons

Highlights the distinctiveness and variety of the people being referred to.

various individuals

Highlights a variety of unspecified people.

more people

Focuses on adding to an existing count of people.

further individuals

Adds the sense of distance or continuation to additional persons.

FAQs

How do I use "others" correctly in a sentence?

"Others" is a plural noun, so make sure your verb agreement is correct. For example: "Some prefer coffee, others prefer tea." Ensure the context makes it clear who or what the "others" are.

What's the difference between "others" and "the others"?

"Others" refers to additional or remaining people or things in a general sense. "The others" is more specific, referring to a particular group already identified or known to the speaker and listener.

Is it ever correct to use "other's"?

Yes, "other's" is the possessive form of "other", referring to something belonging to one other person. It's less common than "others'" (the plural possessive form), but grammatically sound. For example, "I respect the other's opinion, even though I disagree."

What can I say instead of "others"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "other people", "the rest", or "additional individuals".