Introduction
Have you ever stopped mid-sentence, wondering whether to say “They help each other” or “They help one another“? You are not alone! These two little phrases confuse learners and even native speakers every day. Getting them right makes your English sound more natural and precise, especially when you talk about relationships, teamwork, and everyday actions.
What Are ‘Each Other’ and ‘One Another’?
Each other and one another are reciprocal pronouns. A reciprocal pronoun shows that an action goes in both directions — person A does something to person B, and person B does something to person A. In simple terms, they mean “mutually” or “the other one(s) in return.” For example, in “Anna and Ben love each other,” Anna loves Ben and Ben loves Anna. The feeling travels both ways.
Traditionally, grammar books taught that each other is for two people or things, and one another is for three or more. That rule is a useful guideline, but modern English is more flexible, and we will look at what really matters in everyday use.
Rules
- Use ‘each other’ for two people or things. When exactly two subjects act reciprocally, “each other” is the standard choice: “The two sisters call each other every day.”
- Use ‘one another’ for three or more. When a group of three or more acts reciprocally, “one another” is traditionally preferred: “The teammates encourage one another.”
- Both are usually interchangeable in modern English. In everyday speech and writing, native speakers often use the two phrases without a strict difference. If you follow the two-vs-three guideline, you will never be wrong.
- They are pronouns, so they cannot be subjects. “Each other” and “one another” are objects. Say “They respect each other,” not “Each other respect them.”
- Do not add ‘-s’ or change the form. These phrases never become “each others” or “one anothers.” They stay fixed: “They read each other’s essays” (possessive form with apostrophe only).
- Do not use them for one-way actions. Reciprocal pronouns need mutual action. “She helped each other” is wrong because only one person is acting. Use “She helped him.”
- Do not mix them with reflexive pronouns. “They hurt themselves” means each person hurt his or her own body. “They hurt each other” means they hurt one another. The meaning changes completely!
How to Use It
Follow these simple steps whenever you want to express a reciprocal action:
- Check the direction of the action. Ask yourself: does the action go both ways? If yes, a reciprocal pronoun fits. If no, use a regular object pronoun (him, her, them).
- Count the subjects. Two subjects? Choose “each other.” Three or more? “One another” is the safest, most traditional choice.
- Place the phrase after the verb or preposition. Examples: “They trust each other.” “The students talked to one another.”
- Use the possessive form correctly. Add an apostrophe plus -s to “each other” and “one another” when showing possession: “They borrowed each other’s books.” “The colleagues value one another’s opinions.”
- Keep the verb plural. The subject is plural, so the verb agrees with it: “The couple knows each other well” (singular subject treated as a unit) or “The couples know each other well.”
Examples in Sentences
- The two brothers always support each other during difficult times.
- My best friend and I write to each other every month.
- The five committee members respect one another’s ideas.
- After the argument, the neighbours apologised to each other.
- The students in the group quizzed one another before the exam.
- The twins finish each other’s sentences all the time.
- In a healthy team, players listen to one another.
- The two companies compete with each other for customers.
- The volunteers encouraged one another throughout the long day.
- Maria and Lucia borrowed each other’s dresses for the party.
- The cousins hadn’t seen each other for ten years.
- All the delegates greeted one another warmly at the conference.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Adding ‘-s’ to the pronoun.
❌ The friends help each others with homework.
✅ The friends help each other with homework.
Mistake 2: Using a reciprocal pronoun for a one-way action.
❌ The teacher praised each other.
✅ The teacher praised them.
Mistake 3: Confusing reciprocal and reflexive pronouns.
❌ The children looked at themselves in the mirror and smiled at each other. (This is fine only if they looked at their own reflections — but if they smiled at the other children, the first part needs care.)
✅ The children smiled at each other across the room.
Mistake 4: Wrong possessive form.
❌ They shared each others notes.
✅ They shared each other’s notes.
Mistake 5: Using the phrase as a subject.
❌ Each other was very kind.
✅ They were very kind to each other.
Quick Summary
- Each other = reciprocal pronoun, traditionally for two.
- One another = reciprocal pronoun, traditionally for three or more.
- Both show mutual action: A does it to B, and B does it to A.
- Modern English often uses them interchangeably; the two-vs-three rule is a safe guide.
- Never add “-s”: not “each others,” not “one anothers.”
- Possessive forms: each other’s / one another’s.
- Use them only when the action goes both ways.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with each other, one another, or themselves.
- The two cats wash ______ every morning.
- The members of the choir listen to ______ when they rehearse.
- After the match, the players congratulated ______ on a great game.
- The children built the sandcastle all by ______.
- My grandparents have loved ______ for fifty years.
Answers:
- each other (two cats)
- one another (a group of three or more)
- one another (a whole team)
- themselves (reflexive — no mutual action)
- each other (two people)
Conclusion
Mastering each other and one another is a small step that makes a big difference in how natural your English sounds. Remember the two-vs-three guideline, keep the phrases fixed in form, and always check that the action truly goes both ways. With a little practice, these reciprocal pronouns will become second nature in your everyday conversations!
FAQ
Is it wrong to use ‘each other’ for more than two people?
No, it is not wrong. The traditional rule says “each other” is for two and “one another” is for three or more, but modern English accepts both in most contexts. Many native speakers use “each other” for groups of any size, especially in informal speech. For exams and formal writing, following the traditional rule is the safest choice.
What is the difference between ‘each other’ and ‘themselves’?
“Each other” describes a mutual action between people: “They praised each other” means A praised B and B praised A. “Themselves” is reflexive and describes an action each person does to his or her own self: “They praised themselves” means each person praised himself or herself. The meaning is completely different, so choose carefully.
How do I form the possessive of ‘each other’ and ‘one another’?
Add an apostrophe and -s: each other’s and one another’s. For example: “The students checked each other’s answers” and “The partners respect one another’s privacy.” Never write “each others” or “one anothers” without the apostrophe.
Can ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ be used as subjects?
No. These phrases are object pronouns, so they appear after verbs or prepositions: “They helped each other,” “They spoke to one another.” You cannot say “Each other helped them.” If you need a subject, use a plural pronoun like “they” or “we.”