Use the word one another in a sentence

The question is as stated in the title.

In the sentence:

My suffix is one, so right in between, one can be seen

Can the first «one» refer back to the word «suffix», meaning that the suffix (of the word that is being described by these sentences) is literally a suffix? and can the second «one» refer back to the same word «suffix»? So that it means another suffix can be seen (within the word that is being described by these sentences)? Although this is obviously a bit vague (it was part of a riddle). Is this proper English? Or does it not make sense? If not, why not? And how should it be said instead?

I think the construct is valid as it is just like:

I want to give you a cup of coffee but I don’t have one

Where «one» refers back to the cup of coffee.

TL;DR

Some context, I wrote a riddle on the puzzling stack exchange site, and it had the following sentences is in it (it’s the italicized sentences I’m asking about).

My start suggests I’m made of dough
My suffix is one, so
Right in between, one can be seen
And I have caused a flow

The answer to this riddle is «Riley», which within the context of which the riddle was posted, was not very hard to guess. It was in fact guessed correctly within minutes, so that wasn’t the problem. The issue is with the second and third line, no-one seemed to understand the clues.

Now as an additional note, it should be made clear beforehand that I understand «ey» is not a suffix as such in the name «Riley». Yet, at the moment, anything seems to go for suffix/infix/prefix at puzzling stack exchange. So although it is true that some definitions are bastardized, I don’t think that’s the actual issue here.

I will explain the hints for the purpose of this question. The suffix of «Riley», when bending the definition of suffix to mean «the ending of a word», is defined as being a suffix in the dictionary, that is what the first italicized sentence is meant to convey (in a riddle type of way). Then the second italicized sentence is meant to convey that in between the «R» and the «y», another thing, which is defined as a suffix in the dictionary, can be seen. Namely the suffix «ile».

Now, obviously since this was a riddle, I wasn’t really trying to clearly spell out what I meant, since being a bit vague is the point of a riddle, but I seem to have taken things a little too far here and produced something which isn’t valid English, which of course isn’t really my intention.

Not a native English speaker myself, I’d like to learn if the word «one» in the first sentence can actually be validly interpreted as «referring to another word in the sentence» which is the word «suffix» in this case. As in that the suffix (as in the the ending of the word that was meant to be guessed) is an actual «suffix» (which was «ey» in this case, which is defined as being a suffix in the dictionary). And secondly I’d like to know if it can somehow make sense that the word «one» in the next sentence also refers back to that same word «suffix». So that it means «a suffix can be seen right in between».

A similar construct is a valid construct in my native language (which is why I’m asking this, I would use this construct outside of a riddle as well, unless I know better, I’ll provide some examples lower down), but obviously that doesn’t necessarily mean it can also be done in English. If not, what would be a valid English way to convey this? And can someone explain what is officially grammatically incorrect about the sentences or the way they are constructed?

And yes I know that the way English is used in the riddle can be described as being vague and misleading (it was a riddle after all), which is why my question is specifically asking about the grammar side of things, and if this construct can somehow be technically correct. Or how else it could be constructed (preferably in a «riddle type of way») to mean what I’m trying to convey.

Other sample sentences which (I think) might make sense using the same construct:

The policeman is a bully, he really is one.
Are you a cool guy? Yes I am one!

In the first sentence one is meant to refer back to bully. And in the second 2 sentences one is meant to refer back to cool guy.

P.S for anyone who has actually managed to read this far here’s a little fun fact, I was actually (through my riddle) trying to educate people over at puzzling stack exchange, by pointing them towards actual suffixes in dictionaries, trying to hint that the things that go for prefixes/suffixes over there aren’t really what they make them out to be. It appears to have been a miserably failed attempt though

Complete the sentences. Use the words from the box.
another, other, the other, others, the others
1) There are three cakes on the plate. I’d like to have one and you may take … .
2) One boy fell off the chair and … laughed.
3) This pencil belongs to Betty, … pencil is mine.
4) Mrs Smith, Mr Jones and … teachers were there.
5) Some people like it when it is hot, … like it when it is not.
6) Jane’s house is on … side of the street.
7) Some books are better than … .
8) We must all know this. I’ll call Ann. Will you tell …?
9) Come … day.
10) I wanted to spend our holidays in California, but Roland had … ideas.
11) Not now. We’ll talk about it some … time.
12) One of the children was Rob, what was … boy’s name?
13) I can’t find my … shoe.

Listen to all    |    All sentences (with pause) Used with nouns: «I need another piece of paper.« (piece of paper, tissue, copy) «I want another slice of pie.« (slice, piece, serving) «My mom bought me another pair of shoes.« (pair of shoes, pair of socks, pair of pants, shirt) «I broke another cup.« (cup, plate, dish, bowl, glass) «Let’s see another movie.« (movie, play, show, concert, performance) «We need to get another refrigerator because ours is broken.« (refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove, oven) «She got another raise at work.« (raise, promotion, bonus) «I can bring another person to the party.« (person, guest, friend) «He was fired for making another mistake.« (mistake, error, slip up) «Do you have another idea?« (idea, suggestion, recommendation, option, choice, example) «Let’s meet at another time.« (time, place, location) «We need to find another way.« (way, solution) «Please bring me another drink.« (drink, glass, cup, serving) Listen to all    |    All sentences (with pause) Used with verbs: «The dessert was so delicious, I ordered another.« (ordered, asked for, requested, ate) «They traveled from one city to another.« (traveled, moved, went) «It was so good, I’ll have another.« (have) «My spoon is dirty. Could you please bring me another?« (bring, hand, get) «Since he’s having another glass, I’ll have another, too.« (have, order) «I didn’t like the outfit I was wearing, so I picked another.« (picked, selected, chose) «I’ve moved from one school to another in the last two years.« (moved, transferred, changed) «I’m not happy with our phone company, so I’m searching for another.« (searching for, looking for) Previous Word by Letter: annual Previous Word by Frequency: being Next Word by Frequency: health

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Video Transcript
Section 1
What’s the difference between these two words? If you’re learning English, words like this might seem a little confusing or maybe even frustrating. I’m Emma from mmmEnglish and today I’m going to explain the difference between ‘other’ and ‘another’ and show you how to use each of those words correctly. Well I’m ready to get started, are you?

He lives on the other side.
He lives on another side.

Are they really that different? They’re definitely similar and that’s what’s tricky about them but they’re not the same. Let’s talk about the meaning of these two words first. ‘Other’ can mean additional or extra.

What other countries has he travelled to besides France?

So I know that he’s travelled to France but what additional countries has he travelled to other than France or apart from France? But it’s not exactly the same.

We use ‘another’ to say one more.

There’s another sandwich if you’re hungry.

So that means, well you’ve already had a sandwich but now I’m offering you more.

So both ‘other’ and ‘another’ can mean additional or extra but they can also both mean different or alternative. I can ask: Do you have any other types of juice?

So I don’t want that type of juice, I want to know if there are alternatives, other types of juice, different ones from the juice that I’ve been offered.

Now ‘another’ is similar to ‘other’ but it’s not exactly the same.

There’s so much traffic. Is there another way to go?

So I want to know is there an alternative way to get to my destination? Is there a different route that I can take?

So again, using ‘another’ means one more but did you notice that the way they’re used, the structure of the sentences can be a little different for each word. It’s not always possible to simply swap one for the other, you know. You can’t just switch them. So in a moment, we’re going to take a closer look at why that is.

Both ‘other’ and ‘another’ can be used as determinants. Now if you can’t remember exactly what a determiner is, well that’s okay. It’s a type of word that introduces a noun and it makes it clear what we’re talking about.

• all of us
• the cookie
• each person
• the other job
• another friend

Now notice how ‘other’ is used here. We use it after ‘the’ or a possessive word like ‘his other job’ then followed by a singular or plural noun. So can you think of some of your own examples like this? Add them to the comments if you can.

• Her other house
• The other lesson

Most of the time ‘other’ is used with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns. Do you have any other information for me? So here ‘other’ is a determiner for information. ‘Information’ is an uncountable noun.

Do you know any other good books by this author?

So ‘other’ is determining ‘books’, a plural countable noun. Got it so far?

But what about if the noun was singular like: his other job? So ‘other’ can be used with singular countable nouns that it needs another determiner, usually an article or a pronoun.

So you can’t say “I don’t like other dog” You need to say: “I don’t like her other dog” or “the other dog”

We can use the single article ‘an’ as well. Another, another dog. So when the noun is singular and countable, you can use ‘another’ as the determiner.

One of the sandwiches has cheese, the other sandwich doesn’t.

Notice the article ‘the’ here, before ‘other’. This makes it possible to use ‘other’ with singular countable nouns and this happens in really specific situations. You can use ‘the other’ when you’re talking about two things or people and you want to talk about two things or people and you want to talk about the second thing or person.

The first sandwich has cheese, the second or the other doesn’t.

She has a bracelet on one wrist and on the other she wears a watch.

So she has two wrists, the first has a bracelet and the second has a watch. I can’t just say: “On the other wrist she wears a watch”, right? Because the idea is incomplete, I would really leave the listener asking a question like: what was on the first wrist then?

‘Another’ is also used as a determiner so it can be used with singular countable nouns. Do you have another room available? So here ‘another’ is the determiner to the singular countable noun, ‘room’. I can’t use ‘another’ with the plural form, I can’t use ‘another’ with ‘rooms’.

If I want to ask if there are extra rooms available, more than one room, I need to use ‘other’ instead, okay?

Do you have other rooms available? Or do you have another room available?

There is one exception to this rule though. ‘Another’ can be used with a determiner with plural nouns when a plural noun has a number or a number phrase in front of it like ‘a few’ or ‘a couple’.

I can’t say “I need another weeks to finish the report” because ‘weeks’ is plural and it’s countable. But I can say “I need another two weeks to finish the report” or “I need another couple of weeks to finish the report” Got it?

Now the other way to use these words is to use them as pronouns. So again, ‘another’ can only be used with singular countable nouns.

I’m going to order a drink. Would you like another?

So in this sentence ‘another’ is replacing the noun ‘drink’ but remember, I can only use ‘another’ here because we’re talking about a singular drink not multiple drinks. And guess what? There aren’t any exceptions here. ‘Another’ is just used as a singular pronoun.

Now you’ll see ‘other’ used as a pronoun too. You can use it when you’re talking about two things and the first thing has already been mentioned.

So for example. My first wish is to go to Alaska. The other is to see the Northern Lights.

So ‘other’ is acting as a noun here, it’s a pronoun replacing ‘wish’. And it’s okay to do this because it’s clear what we’re talking about, we already mentioned that the first wish was I want to go to Alaska so when we use the ‘other’, we’re obviously referring to ‘wish’ but there is something that you need to keep in mind. As a pronoun, ‘other’ can be singular or plural. Now remember when I was talking about ‘other’ as a determiner, I said it can’t be plural. But you will see a plural form and that’s when it’s used as a pronoun.

So let’s look at a couple of examples.

Part of the group has already arrived. The others will be here very soon.
Today we tried three traditional foods. Tomorrow we’ll try three others.

So are you feeling a little more confident about these two words now? Now is your chance to test yourself and to practise what you’ve just learned so get ready after this super short break, I’ve got a mini quiz for you. Okay let’s practise, see if you can choose the correct word to complete each sentence, okay? Choose ‘other’ or ‘another’.

1. I don’t like that movie. Is there ________ one that we can watch?

So we know that the word has to replace the noun ‘movie’, right? Meaning an additional or a different movie. So we need to choose a pronoun for a singular countable noun, it must be ‘another’.

2. Are there any ___________ dishes without meat?

So check out the noun here, it’s plural, ‘dishes’. And we can’t say ‘any’ with ‘another’ right? So ‘other’ is the correct answer.

3. Do you accept __________ type of payment besides cash?

‘Another’ is right but what if it was ‘types’ – plural? Then it would be ‘other’.

4. I need to buy _________ phone charger, I lost mine!

So it’s a singular countable noun. So it must be ‘another’.

5. I don’t like oysters, but I love ____________ kinds of seafood.

We have a plural countable noun here so we need to use ‘other’.

Awesome! How did you go? Remember that your decision to use ‘other’ or ‘another’ really depends on the noun that you’re using, whether it’s singular, plural or uncountable. Now for the ultimate challenge, can you write a sentence into the comments below this video that uses both words? That would be awesome! I’m going to come down and check out your sentences very soon and if you’ve got any questions about this lesson at all then please add them to the comments below.

Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done it already, just down there and check back soon for some other useful videos to help you improve your English. If you especially like this video, well you’re in luck because there’s another just like it right here. And I’ll make another one soon. I’ll see you then!

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