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What Are Alternative Pro-forms?
Alternative means 'choice'. Alternative pro-forms are a type of pro-form that offer a choice between two or more options and signal the alternatives in the sentence.
Alternative Words
Because of their meaning, some determiners, pronouns, and adverbs are usually used in alternative contexts. Let's have a look:
Other
Other as a Determiner
'Other' as a determiner means the 'alternative' or the 'different' type of something. It is used:
- with singular uncountable nouns
Our website sells pop music. It sells no
For
- with plural nouns
We surveyed children from
- when 'other' is used before a singular countable noun, we must use another determiner before it.
I don't like the purple one. I prefer the
We need to discuss our
Warning
'Other' as a determiner does not have a plural form.
The others kids...')
Other as a Pronoun
Using "the other" as an alternative pro-form
'Other' can be used as a pronoun. As a pronoun, it can have both a singular and a plural form. For example:
We have to tackle this issue, more than any
Two photos are attached to this email and
Tip!
When 'other' as a pronoun refers to more than one person or thing, it takes the plural form. For example:
Some people agreed; other disagreed.')
The Other
The Other as a Determiner
The Other with Singular Countable Nouns
'The other' can be used before a singular countable noun to give an additional choice or alternative, usually when there are two alternatives. It can also mean different types of something.
This room is occupied. Please use
This book has many illustrations.
The Other with Plural Nouns
Using 'the other' with a plural noun means we are referring to the remaining people or things in a group. For example:
Sam and Mike are here, but where are
(the remaining people in a group)
Have you eaten
(the remaining things in a group – here six eggs)
The Other as a Pronoun
'The other' can be used as a pronoun, especially when we want to refer back to something already mentioned. For example:
She had her drink in one hand and her cigarette in
I have two puppies, one is black and
Another
When we use the indefinite article 'an' before 'other', we get 'another'. It means one more or an alternative or an additional.
Another as a Determiner
We use 'another' with singular nouns. It can not be used with plural nouns. For example:
Would you like
I don’t like this place. Is there
Another wonderful
Another as a Pronoun
We can use 'another' as a pronoun. Take a look at some examples:
I don't like this shirt. Do you have
After you finish reading this book, you should start reading
Else
Else with Indefinite Pronouns
We can use 'else' after indefinite pronouns and 'all' to mean 'other,' 'another,' 'different' or 'additional'. For example:
There's something
I was free to go, as was everyone
Above all
Else with Wh-words
'Else' is used after wh- question words to mean besides or in addition to someone or something. It is also used to talk about a different person, thing, place, etc.
What
Where
If I can't trust you, who
Warning
Do not use 'else' after which.
Which else
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Non-assertive Pro-forms
Non-assertive Pro-forms refer to a group of words or phrases that refer to specific things/persons, but it is not important to mention what.
