determinersword-choice
I wonder if "some other" means exactly the same as "another" in the following sentences. Is there any difference between them?
- There must be another explanation.
- There must be some other explanation.
- In this case we will go to some other city.
- In this case we will go to another city.
- After that they saw some other house.
- After that they saw another house.
"Any question" places a strict limit on the number of questions allowable to exactly one. For example, there was exactly one question as to who wore the pants. However, where the number of questions has not been determined, or is unrestricted, then the plural should be used.
Is there any question that I am correct? I don' think so. (The only question might be "are you correct".) However, any questions you have should be added to the comments below. (Questions might be "are you serious?", "what authority do you cite?", "why is your speellling so bad?" and so forth.)
I have heard both, and probably use both myself undistinguishly. My usual sources conflict on that one, actually. The New Oxford American Dictionary, which is, well, American, says:
at short (or a moment's) notice
with little warning or time for preparation: tours may be canceled at short notice.
On the other hand, Merriam-Webster’s says
- (US) We can be ready on short notice. = (Brit) We can be ready at short notice.
- (US) Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice. = (Brit) Thank you for meeting with me at such short notice.
The Corpus of Contemporary American English agrees with the latter, as it gives 33 hits for “at short notice” against 187 hits for “on short notice”. Google ngrams gives the same picture, but slightly less contrasted:
Best Answer
1a is ungrammatical. In the subsequent examples the difference is that another is more definite. By using some other, the speaker or writer is making a reference so vague that there is some doubt over whether the statement in which it occurs can be true.