reciprocal pronouns: each other and one another
We use the reciprocal pronouns each other and one another when two or more people do the same thing. Traditionally, each other refers to two people and one another refers to more than two people, but this distinction is disappearing in modern English.
- Peter and Mary helped one another.
= Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter. - We sent each other Christmas cards.
= We sent them a Christmas card and they sent us a Christmas card. - They didn’t look at one another.
= He didn't look at her and she didn't look at him.
We also use the possessive forms each other’s and one another’s:
They helped to look after each other’s children.
We often stayed in one another’s houses.
NOTE: We do not use reciprocal pronouns as the subject of a clause.
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Hello
Each other' we use for two people and 'one another' for more than two.ok.
The sisters were hugging one another
The cars were bumping into each other on the icy road
The cats were happily grooming each other.
The boats were bumping against each other in the storm
In these sentences exact no of things is not given ,cars.cats ,boats,could be more than two and sisters might be two.
Hello!
'Each other' we use for two people and 'one another' for more than two.ok. Can we say that they can be used like between and among?
Best Regards!
team
Hello skylark!
That's not a bad idea! If it helps you remember the difference, then yes, you can say that.
Regards
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello.
I think that these three examples, appearing at the top of the page, are confusing:
Peter and Mary helped one another. = Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter.
We sent each other Christmas cards. = We sent them a Christmas card and they sent us a Christmas card.
They didn’t look at one another. = He didn't look at her and she didn't look at him.
They are just the opposite than the traditional meaning. Aren't they?
Thank you for your attention.
team
Hello dg7!
They are there to show that the traditional meaning isn't really followed any more. It's useful to know, but not essential.
Regards
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi! I want to know if they have the same meaning, when we have to use "one another" and when "each other".
i scored 83% in first attempt....need work hard more....bt this was little confusing chapter.......bt Mr Bee u made my doubt clear.........thanks.
sir I am facing problem in this exercise. It is not clear to me.If it is related two persons ...it should be each other or one another? Make me clear sir
regards
team
Hello Niva!
As the article says in the first paragraph, traditionally (in the past) we used each other for two people, but one another for three or more. Nowadays, though, you can use both each other and one another when talking about 2 people - it is perfectly OK.
Hope that helps!
Regards
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi
First of all I'm so excited by this site, and it's now my favorite one. Second may be I'm still not understand this topic , please there anyone could explain why here in the above examples they used one another for two people & each other for more than two people? Although they explain the opposite.
thanks