Reciprocal Pronouns
We use the reciprocal pronouns each other and one another when two or more people do the same thing.
Each other
⁕ Peter and Mary helped each other
⁕ Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter.
One another
⁕ We sent one another cards.
⁕ We sent them a card and they sent us a card.
Each other
⁕ Peter and Mary helped each other
⁕ Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter.
One another
⁕ We sent one another cards.
⁕ We sent them a card and they sent us a card.
We also use the possessive forms each other's and one another's:
⁕ They helped to look after each other's children.
⁕ The group of students often stayed in one another's houses.
Note that we do not use reciprocal pronouns as the subject of a clause.
Reciprocal pronouns and plural reflexive pronouns ourselves • yourselves • themselves have different meanings:
⁕ John and Fred talk to each other regularly.
⁕ John talks to Fred and Fred talks to John.
⁕ John and Fred regularly talk to themselves.
⁕ John talks to himself and Fred talks to himself.
More Lessons ☛ Here
⁕ They helped to look after each other's children.
⁕ The group of students often stayed in one another's houses.
Note that we do not use reciprocal pronouns as the subject of a clause.
Reciprocal pronouns and plural reflexive pronouns ourselves • yourselves • themselves have different meanings:
⁕ John and Fred talk to each other regularly.
⁕ John talks to Fred and Fred talks to John.
⁕ John and Fred regularly talk to themselves.
⁕ John talks to himself and Fred talks to himself.
More Lessons ☛ Here