We use the reciprocal pronouns “each other” and “one another” when two or more people do the same thing.
Reciprocal means given, felt, or done in return. Or in other words, if I like you, and you like me, then our feelings are reciprocal. You do not need to know the grammar term “reciprocal pronoun”. Instead, focus on the words below.
We usually use “each other” when there are two people.
- Sally and I will help each other.
- We gave presents to each other.
- Ben and Sally don’t like each other.
We usually use “one another” to refer to more than two people, but sometimes “one another” is used for just two people.
- All the students like one another.
- Everybody in our family helps one another.
- The puppies are biting one another.
- Sally and Ben will help one another.
Look at these examples.
- Sally looked at Ben and Ben looked at Sally.
- Everybody in my family helps all of the other people in my family.
Instead of that, we can make less repetitive and shorter by using reciprocal pronouns.
- Sally and Ben looked at each other.
- Everybody in my family helps one another.
Reciprocal pronouns can be useful to make your English sound more natural and to help you express yourself clearly.
Make sure that you understand this English grammar well. It is important to know if you want to speak English fluently.
