Each other vs one another
Reciprocal pronouns express a mutual action — A does something to B and B does the same thing to A.
| Pronoun | Traditional rule | Modern use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| each other | two people / things | acceptable for two OR more | The two brothers argued with each other. |
| one another | more than two | acceptable for two OR more (slightly more formal) | All the team members helped one another. |
Modern grammar:
The traditional distinction (each other = 2, one another = 3+) is no longer enforced. Both are interchangeable in contemporary English. "One another" sounds slightly more formal.
Possessive: each other's / one another's
Add 's after the reciprocal pronoun to make it possessive.
They borrowed each other's notes. (= A borrowed B's notes AND B borrowed A's notes)
The students read one another's essays and gave feedback.
The twins often wear each other's clothes.
The students read one another's essays and gave feedback.
The twins often wear each other's clothes.
Reciprocal vs Reflexive pronouns
The difference is crucial: reflexive = the same person does something to themselves; reciprocal = people do something to each other.
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| They hurt themselves. | Each person hurt their own body (individually). |
| They hurt each other. | A hurt B and B hurt A (mutually). |
| They looked at themselves in the mirror. | Each person looked at their own reflection. |
| They looked at each other. | A looked at B and B looked at A. |
| They introduced themselves. | Each person introduced themselves (to the group). |
| They introduced each other (to us). | A introduced B to us, and B introduced A to us. |
Quick test:
If the action goes BACK to the doer → reflexive (themselves). If the action is MUTUAL (A→B and B→A) → reciprocal (each other / one another).
Exercises
Choose the correct pronoun.
1. The two rivals refused to speak to ___.
2. She looked at ___ in the window's reflection.
3. After the disagreement, they apologised to ___.
4. The three flat-mates shared ___ cooking duties.
5. They both hurt ___ during the game — no one else was involved.