Today we will talk about a group of pronouns with which we express the relationship of two or more persons. It includes two expressions: each other and one another.
Let's look at when they are used, how they differ and how they change.
What are reciprocal pronouns?
Reciprocal pronouns in English express attitudes towards two or more persons. The very name “mutual” indicates that with the help of them we are talking about the fact that some actions are performed mutually. For example: They always help to each other.
This group is represented by two expressions:
- each other - each other
- one another - each other
Let's look at them in more detail.
Using each other and one another in English
Each other and one another are translated as "each other" and are used when each of two or more people does something for the other(s).
Previously, there was little difference between these expressions. Each other was used when talking about two people or things (For example: We have known each other for 10 years). One another was used when talking about 3 or more people or objects (For example: Children played with each other). But now this distinction is not respected, and you can easily replace one expression with another.
We place each other and one another after an action that is performed mutually. Usage diagram:
Two or more actors+ action + each other/one another
Examples:
We protect each other.
We protect each other.
They trust one another.
They trust each other.
Tom and Mary love each other.
Tom and Mary love each other.
All members of the committee hate one another.
All the committee members hate each other.
Using each other and one another with prepositions
If you use these phrases with prepositions (with each other, for each other, etc.), then it is placed BEFORE these phrases. Precisely in front of the entire expression, without dividing it into parts.
- for each other/one another - for each other;
- without each other/one another - without each other;
- from each other/one another - from each other;
- with each other/one another - with each other;
- about each other/one another - about each other;
Wrong: We were meant each for other.
Right: We were meant for each other.
We were made for each other.
Examples:
We need to take a break from each other.
We need a break from each other.
They enjoy talking with oneanother.
They like to talk to each other.
Jane and Bill can't live without each other.
Jane and Bill can't live without each other.
They exchanged seats with eachother.
They switched places with each other.
Using each other's and one another's in English
If after each other and one another there is an object, then we add "s at the end of the expression. That is, it turns out other "s and another "s. How to check? We can ask them questions: whose? whose? whose? whose?.
For example: They wore (whose?) each other’s things.
Examples:
We can read each other "s minds.
We can read each other's thoughts.
They translated each other "s sentences.
They translated each other's sentences.
My dogs eat one another 's food.
My dogs eat each other's food.
Sisters wear one another 's dresses sometimes.
Sisters sometimes wear each other's dresses.
So, we have looked at the reciprocal pronouns each other and one another, and now let's put the theory into practice.
Reinforcement task
Translate the following sentences into English:
1. They know everything about each other.
2. Jim and Emmy call each other every evening.
3. People should help each other.
4. They often cook for each other.
5. We know each other's secrets.
6. My friends like each other.
7. They are used to having dinner with each other.
8. Children often play with each other.
Leave your answers in the comments below the article.
Due to the fact these two-word combinations sound exactly the same with only the placement of the apostrophe being different, many people aren’t sure which of them is correct. The aim of this article is to de-fog the fogginess surrounding these two (we’ve already done so with , and ). One of these forms is correct, and the other is just plain wrong. Would anyone care to lay bets before we continue by explaining which is which?
“Each” Refers to How Many?
To get the answer we’re looking for, we should begin by looking at the word “each.” It automatically implies that we are talking about one of the following: a single object or person, a group of things, or people that can be regarded as a unit.
To put this more clearly, you wouldn’t use a pluralized word after “each.” You may say “each animal has unique markings,” but you would never say “each animal have unique markings.” If you were to modify the sentence to “Each of the animals has unique markings,” we’re once again looking at a single animal at a time.
You could talk about “each people,” but then you would be talking about individual races, which turns the word “people” into a singular that could be pluralized as “peoples.” For example: “Each people has their own culture,” means that the French culture differs from the German culture, and so on. It would be a slightly odd way of expressing the idea, but it wouldn’t be wrong because in the example “people” is singular.
The bottom line with all of this? As soon as you see the word “each,” the word following it needs to be in its singular form.
“Other” Refers to How Many?
Because we have prefixed “other” with “each” it has to remain in the singular form. While there is a plural form for “other” which is “others,” it differs from the example of “people” since it has no alternative meaning and cannot be pluralized yet again.
Returning to that example, we could say that “people” means a whole lot of persons, or we could use it to indicate race: “The Turks are a people who love their coffee. The Turks and the Greeks are two peoples who have often been at war.” There is no such alternative meaning for “others.” It’s the plural form of “other” and that’s all there is to it.
Sticking to the Rule
The rule is that “each” will always be followed by a singular. “John and Mary promised to love each other forever. They agreed to take care of each other’s wellbeing above all else.” The apostrophe is used to indicate possession, and it comes before the s, not after it.
If we don’t prefix “other” with “each”, we can use it in the plural form. “You need to learn to respect each other’s views,” but as soon as the magic “each” enters the equation, “You need to learn to respect each other’s views,” is the correct form. Don't be confused by the word “we,” even though it does indicate more than one person: “We need to learn to respect each other's views” is correct as long as we use the singular forms of “other” after the word “each.”
Another Example
Here are two more permutations: “We need to respect one another’s views,” and “We need to respect others’ views.”
“One another” is really just another way of saying “Each other.” But if we leave out the word that indicates a singular (“one” or “each”), we can use the apostrophe after the s because we are now talking about multiple others simultaneously.
No Need for Confusion
Just remember the simple rule about the word following “each” and you’ll never get “each other’s” wrong again. Now, to the important business at hand. Who lost the bet I invited you to make at the beginning of this piece? I accept PayPal, wire transfers, and indentured servitude as methods of payment…
Each the other; one another (used as a compound reciprocal pronoun): to strike at each other; to hold each other's hands; to love each other. Usage. Although some insist that EACH OTHER be used only in… … Universalium
each other- pronoun ** 1.) used for saying that each person or thing does something to the other or others: The women looked around at each other and smiled. They talk to each other on the phone every night. 2.) used for saying that each person or thing is ... Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
each other- W1S1 pron used to show that each of two or more people does something to the other or others →one another ▪ Susan and Robert kissed each other passionately. ▪ The girls looked at each other. ▪ They enjoy… … Dictionary of contemporary English
each other- each other pron. use each other; one another (used as a compound reciprocal pronoun): to love each other; to hold each other's hands; to talk to each other Etymology: bef. 1000 usage: Usage guides advise that each other be used only… … From formal English to slang
each other- reciprocal pronoun, originally in late Old English a phrase, with EACH (Cf. each) as the subject and OTHER (Cf. other) inflected (as it were each to other, each from other, etc.) ... Etymology dictionary
each\other- each other one another pron Each one the other; one the other. That man and his wife love each other. Bill and Mary gave one another Christmas presents last year. All the children at the party were looking at one another trying to recognize... ... Dictionary of American Idioms
each other- PRONOUN ▪ the other one or ones … English terms dictionary
each other */*/- UK / US pronoun Usage note: You can use one another with the same meaning as each other. Get it right: each other: Each other is written as two separate words, not as one word: Wrong: We must be able to communicate and understand eachother. Right...English dictionary
each other- /. ../ pronoun (not used as the subject of a sentence) used to show that each of two or more people does something to the other or others: Susan and Robert kissed each other passionately. | They were holding each other's hands. | We had a lot to... ... Longman dictionary of contemporary English
ˌeach ˈother */*/*/- pronoun 1) used for saying that each person or thing does something to the other or others The women looked at each other. 2) used for saying that each person or thing is related in the same way to the other or others Suitcases were piled on ... Dictionary for writing and speaking English
each other- or (pron.) Each one the other; one the other. * /That man and his wife love each other./ * /Bill and Mary gave one another Christmas presents last year./ * /All the children at the party were looking at one another trying to… … Dictionary of American idioms
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There are only two reciprocals in English: each other And one another, they both mean "each other". The main question associated with them: if they do not differ in meaning, then when to say each other, and when to say one another? What is the difference between them?
Each Other or One Another? A rule that no one follows
In some textbooks there is a very specific rule. Looking ahead, I will say that it is not necessary to comply with it. However, here is the rule:
- We are talking each other, when we are talking about two persons or objects.
Mary and James love each other. – Mary and James love each other.
Two stones are placed against each other. – Two stones are located opposite each other.
- We are talking one another when there are more than two persons or objects.
The kids can't hear one another. – Children don’t hear each other.
The stars are very far from one another. – The stars are very far from each other.
It is not necessary to observe it, because in modern English, especially in English, the semantic difference between mutual pronouns has practically disappeared, while the more common option is each other.
I will quote from the Cambridge Dictionary: “There is very little difference between each other and one another and we can normally use them in the same places. Each other is more common than one another” (“The difference between each other and one another is very small and, as a rule, they are interchangeable. Each other is used more often than one another”).
In other words, in all cases where either each other or one another is possible, you can safely use the first option:
The kids can't hear each other. – Children do not hear each other (even if there are more than two of them).
The stars are very far from each other. – The stars are very far from each other (even if they are all the stars in the Universe).
If you want to strictly follow the rules, see the rule above.
Reciprocal pronouns Each Other and One Another with preposition
Unlike the Russian pronoun "each other", reciprocal pronouns in English inseparable, that is, between words and their components you cannot wedge a preposition, as in the Russian language. Compare:
- In Russian: We never talk about each other(the preposition “about” is wedged between “friend” and “friend”).
- Right: They never talk about each other.
- Wrong: They never talk each about other.
Each Other and One Another in the possessive case
Reciprocal pronouns can be used in the possessive case; an apostrophe + s is added to the end of the word other or another:
They see each other's faces - They see each other's faces.
Don't get on each other's nerves - Don't get on each other's nerves.
A common mistake in this case is the incorrect spelling of the pronoun in the possessive case: instead of each other’s they write each others (it’s interesting that this mistake is usually made by native speakers). Optionseach others, one anothersimpossible– reciprocal pronouns cannot be in the plural.
Each Other or Themselves
Other common mistake– use (themselves, ourselves, etc.) instead of reciprocal. This error is not grammatical, but semantic, because the meaning of the sentence changes.
