the others

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the others" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to people or things that are different from the one that was just mentioned. For example, "We have three options to choose from; my favorite is the first one, but the others are just as good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Others.

The New Yorker

The others were Republicans.

The New Yorker

The others were protected.

The Economist

The others laughed nervously.

The New Yorker

Didn't the others see?

The New Yorker

The others were acquitted.

Independent

Not so the others.

Independent

Let the others laugh.

The New York Times - Food

The others laughed.

The New Yorker

The others followed.

The New York Times

God help the others".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the others" when referring to a specific group or set that has already been introduced. Ensure clarity in your writing by explicitly stating what group "the others" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "the others" without a clear prior reference. If the reader doesn't know to whom or what "the others" refers, your sentence will be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the others" functions as a determiner + noun, serving as a pronoun that refers to a group of people or things distinct from those previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the others" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to distinguish one group from another. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is particularly common in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing a clear reference to the group being discussed. Remember, it's about distinguishing groups and keeping your meaning clear. The phrase is versatile, but precision ensures your message is understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rest

A more concise way to refer to the remaining members of a group.

the remaining ones

Focuses on the idea of what is left or remains from a larger group.

the other group

Specifies that "the others" comprise a distinct group.

the other individuals

Emphasizes that you are talking about people specifically.

the remaining people

It is similar to the remaining ones but clearly refers to people.

the balance

Highlights the portion that completes the whole.

the further entities

More formal and general, applicable to various contexts.

the alternative choices

Highlights a choice between multiple items.

the supplementary elements

Emphasizes the supportive nature of these additional items.

the residual segment

It focuses on what is left after something is removed.

FAQs

How can I use "the others" in a sentence?

You can use "the others" to refer to a group or set distinct from one already mentioned. For example, "Some students chose to study in the library; "the others" preferred to study at home".

What's a simple alternative to "the others"?

A simple alternative is "the rest". It carries the same meaning of referring to the remaining members of a group. For example, "I invited ten friends, but only three came. "The rest" couldn't make it".

Is it correct to say "other" instead of "the others"?

While "other" can sometimes be used similarly, it usually requires a noun. "The others" functions as a pronoun, replacing a noun phrase. For instance, "Some prefer tea; others prefer coffee" is correct, but "Some prefer tea; the other prefer coffee" is not.

What is the difference between "the other" and "the others"?

"The other" refers to a single entity, while "the others" refers to multiple entities. For example, "One book was interesting, but "the other" was boring" (referring to two books), versus "One book was interesting, but "the others" were boring" (referring to more than two books).