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Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns are used to express mutual relationships or actions between two or more people or things. They indicate that the members of a group are doing something to or for the other members. In English, there are only two reciprocal pronouns: “each other” and “one another”.
Example:
Instead of saying: “John likes Mary. Mary likes John.”
We can use a reciprocal pronoun to say: “John and Mary like each other.”
In this example, “each other” is the reciprocal pronoun that expresses the mutual feeling between John and Mary.
Types of Reciprocal Pronouns
There are only two reciprocal pronouns in English:
- Each other
- One another
Traditionally, “each other” was used for two people or things, while “one another” was used for more than two. However, in modern usage, these pronouns are often used interchangeably.
| Pronoun | Traditional Usage | Modern Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each other | Two people/things | Two or more people/things | The twins always support each other. |
| One another | More than two people/things | Two or more people/things | The team members respect one another. |
1. Each Other
“Each other” is used to express a reciprocal relationship or action between two or more people or things.
Examples:
- The couple gave each other anniversary gifts.
- These two chemicals react with each other.
2. One Another
“One another” is also used to express a reciprocal relationship or action, traditionally among more than two people or things, but now often interchangeably with “each other”.
Examples:
- The students in the class help one another with their homework.
- The planets exert gravitational forces on one another.
Usage and Common Mistakes
Subject-Verb Agreement
Reciprocal pronouns are always objects, never subjects. The verb agrees with the plural subject that comes before the reciprocal pronoun.
Correct: The children help each other with their homework. Incorrect: Each other helps with their homework.
Possessive Forms
Reciprocal pronouns can show possession by adding “’s” to the end.
Examples:
- The neighbors borrowed each other’s tools.
- The students corrected one another’s papers.
With Prepositions
Reciprocal pronouns often follow prepositions.
Examples:
- The two teams competed against each other.
- The club members stood by one another during difficult times.
Avoiding Redundancy
Be careful not to use reciprocal pronouns redundantly with words that already imply reciprocal action.
Redundant: They met each other at the party. Correct: They met at the party.
Singular vs. Plural Antecedents
Reciprocal pronouns should only be used with plural antecedents or collective nouns viewed as plural.
Correct: The two sisters support each other. Incorrect: The sister supports each other.
Key Takeaways
- There are only two reciprocal pronouns in English: “each other” and “one another”.
- In modern usage, “each other” and “one another” are often used interchangeably.
- Reciprocal pronouns express mutual relationships or actions between two or more people or things.
- They are always objects in a sentence, never subjects.
- Reciprocal pronouns can show possession by adding “’s”.
- Be careful to avoid redundancy when using reciprocal pronouns with verbs that already imply reciprocal action.
- Always use reciprocal pronouns with plural antecedents or collective nouns viewed as plural.
FAQs
Is there a significant difference between ’each other’ and ‘one another’?
Traditionally, “each other” was used for two people or things, while “one another” was used for more than two. However, in modern English, this distinction is rarely observed, and the two phrases are used interchangeably in most contexts. Some style guides and formal writing may still maintain this distinction, but it’s not a strict rule in everyday usage.Can reciprocal pronouns be used with singular subjects?
No, reciprocal pronouns should only be used with plural subjects or collective nouns viewed as plural. They express a mutual relationship or action, which requires at least two entities. For example: Correct: The two players congratulated each other. Incorrect: The player congratulated each other.How do I use reciprocal pronouns in complex sentences?
In complex sentences, make sure the reciprocal pronoun clearly refers to the correct antecedent to avoid ambiguity. For example:
- The teachers and students respect one another. (Clear: teachers and students respect each other)
- The teachers told the students about one another. (Ambiguous: who is respecting whom?) To clarify the second sentence, you might rephrase it: “The teachers told the students about other students” or “The teachers shared information about themselves with the students,” depending on the intended meaning.
Can reciprocal pronouns be used with non-human subjects?
Yes, reciprocal pronouns can be used with non-human subjects, including animals, objects, or abstract concepts. For example:
- The two dogs wagged their tails at each other.
- These chemicals react with one another to form a new compound.
- Different cultures often influence each other.
Are there any verbs that commonly cause confusion with reciprocal pronouns?
Yes, some verbs already imply a reciprocal action, and using a reciprocal pronoun with them can be redundant. Examples include:
- meet
- marry
- kiss
- hug For instance, “They met each other” is redundant because “met” already implies a reciprocal action. “They met” is sufficient. However, you might say “They greeted each other” because “greeted” doesn’t necessarily imply reciprocity.
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