7. Reciprocal Pronouns

Each Other and One Another

We have only two of these pronouns, they come in pairs, and they typically appear as objects: each other and one another. We use them to show some sort of a relationship between two or more people or larger groups. Like this:

The two teams enjoyed the competition between each other.

The reciprocals have possessives, formed by adding “apostrophe ‑s.” Each of these possessive expressions is singular:

Wrong: Juanita and Fred tired of criticizing each others’ political views. Right: Juanita and Fred tired of criticizing each other’s political views.

In formal settings you should use each other to refer to two people or two groups; one another, to three or more. In less formal settings, we use the terms interchangeably.

Formal

The two students disliked each other immensely. All the class members disliked one another.

Informal

The two students disliked one another immensely.

 

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