subject + verb + each other / one anotherUse the reciprocal form as the object after the verb when the action is mutual.
Reciprocal Pronouns
B1Use each other and one another for mutual actions: both sides do the action to the other side. Put them after the verb or preposition.
What you'll learn
- Recognize when an action goes both ways and use each other.
- Use one another with the same mutual meaning.
- Place reciprocal pronouns after the verb or preposition.
- Show shared possession with each other's and one another's.
- Choose reciprocal forms instead of reflexive forms for mutual actions.
Structure
subject + verb + preposition + each other / one anotherAfter a preposition, keep the reciprocal form after that preposition: to each other, near one another.
subject + verb + each other's / one another's + nounAdd apostrophe + s before the noun to show something belongs to the other person or people.
Build a sentence
Subject
Form
Tom and Lisahelpeach other
Tom and Lisa help each other every day.
Use each other for a mutual action between people.
When to use
Mutual actions
Use reciprocal forms when people talk to, help, know, support, or look at the others in the group.
Relationships
Use them for feelings and relationships between people: They trust each other. The neighbors know one another well.
Shared possession
Use the possessive form before a noun: We checked each other's work. The sisters borrowed one another's jackets.
Markers
talk tohelpknowsupportlook attrust
Common mistakes
Wrong
Tom and Lisa looked at themselves and laughed.
Correct
Tom and Lisa looked at each other and laughed.
The action goes from one person to the other, so use a reciprocal form, not a self-form.
Wrong
Each other support Maria and Anna.
Correct
Maria and Anna support each other.
Each other is not the subject. Put the people as the subject and each other after the verb.
Wrong
The two men were talking to during dinner.
Correct
The two men were talking to each other during dinner.
After a preposition like to, you still need the reciprocal object.
Wrong
They checked each other homework before class.
Correct
They checked each other's homework before class.
Before a noun, use the possessive form with apostrophe + s.
Wrong
The teams congratulated themselves after the match.
Correct
The teams congratulated each other after the match.
They congratulated the other side, not the same side, so use each other.
Common misconceptions
❝ Each other is only for two people, and one another is only for more than two. ❞
In everyday English, both forms are used with the same mutual meaning. Choose either unless a style guide asks for one form.
❝ Themselves and each other mean the same thing if there are two or more people. ❞
Themselves means the action returns to the same people. Each other means the action goes from one person or side to the other.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_EACH_OTHER_FOR_MUTUAL_ACTIONw5Use each other for actions that go both ways
Use each other when two or more people do the same action to the others in the group. The meaning is mutual, not one person acting alone.
USE_ONE_ANOTHER_IN_THE_SAME_WAYw3Use one another with the same mutual meaning
One another also shows a two-way or group action. In everyday English, it works like each other.
PUT_AFTER_VERB_OR_PREPOSITIONw5Place each other and one another after the verb or preposition
Use the reciprocal form where an object belongs: after a verb or after a preposition. Do not use it as the subject of the sentence.
USE_POSSESSIVE_EACHS_OTHERSw4Use each other's and one another's for shared possession
Add apostrophe + s to show that something belongs to the other person or people in the relationship. The possessed noun comes after the reciprocal form.
CHOOSE_RECIPROCAL_NOT_REFLEXIVEw5Choose each other, not themselves, when two sides affect one another
Use reciprocal forms for mutual actions between people. Use reflexive forms only when the subject and object are the same person or group acting on itself.