Introduction
Do you ever stop mid-sentence, wondering whether to say “They help each other” or “They help one another“? You are not alone! These two reciprocal pronouns confuse learners at every level, yet the difference is simpler than most people think. In this guide, we will break down the rules, show you plenty of examples, and give you 25 practice sentences so you can use both phrases with confidence.
What Are ‘Each Other’ and ‘One Another’?
Each other and one another are reciprocal pronouns. That means they describe an action or feeling that goes both ways between people (or things). When Anna helps Ben and Ben helps Anna, they help each other. The action travels in two directions, like a boomerang that always comes back.
Both phrases work as objects of verbs or prepositions: “They love each other,” “They talk to one another.” They are not subjects, so you cannot say “Each other are happy.” Keep that in mind and you are already halfway to mastering them.
Rules
- Use “each other” for two people or things. Traditional grammar books say “each other” is best when exactly two parties are involved: “Maria and Tom emailed each other.”
- Use “one another” for three or more. The same tradition reserves “one another” for larger groups: “The five teammates encouraged one another.”
- Modern English is flexible. In everyday speech and writing, native speakers mix the two freely, especially with groups. Both forms are widely accepted, so do not panic if you hear “each other” used for a group.
- Never use them as subjects. They are objects only. ❌ “Each other is kind” → ✅ “They are kind to each other.”
- Do not add “-‘s” carelessly. The possessive forms are “each other’s” and “one another’s”: “They borrowed each other’s books.”
- Do not use them for one-way actions. If only one person acts, use a reflexive or ordinary pronoun: “She looked at herself,” not “She looked at each other.”
How to Use It
Follow these steps whenever you want to express a two-way action:
- Check the direction of the action. Ask: “Does the action go both ways?” If yes, a reciprocal pronoun fits. “Leo and Sam respect each other.”
- Count the parties. Two parties → “each other” (safest choice). Three or more → “one another” (traditional) or “each other” (also fine in modern usage).
- Place the pronoun after the verb or preposition. “They smiled at one another.” “The cousins write to each other every month.”
- Add “-‘s” for possession. “The twins share each other’s clothes.” “The colleagues respect one another’s opinions.”
- Keep the verb plural. The subject is always plural (or two joined nouns), so the verb agrees with it: “The students help one another.”
Examples in Sentences
- The two sisters call each other every Sunday.
- My parents have known each other since university.
- The four volunteers supported one another during the marathon.
- All the students in the class encourage one another before exams.
- Jack and Emma gave each other a birthday present.
- The team members trust one another completely.
- We should always listen to each other with patience.
- The neighbours borrowed each other’s tools last weekend.
- The committee members shared one another’s notes before the meeting.
- Two close friends often finish each other’s sentences.
- The children looked at one another and started laughing.
- Good partners communicate with each other honestly.
- The players congratulated one another after the final whistle.
Common Mistakes
- Using them as subjects.
❌ Each other were happy.
✅ They were happy with each other. - Using them for a one-way action.
❌ He blamed each other for the mistake.
✅ He blamed himself for the mistake. - Forgetting the possessive “-‘s.”
❌ They borrowed each other books.
✅ They borrowed each other’s books. - Using a singular verb.
❌ The two friends helps each other.
✅ The two friends help each other. - Using them with a singular subject.
❌ She and her friend talked to each other, and she enjoyed each other.
✅ She and her friend talked to each other, and they enjoyed each other’s company.
Quick Summary
- “Each other” = traditionally two people or things.
- “One another” = traditionally three or more.
- Modern English often uses them interchangeably, especially in speech.
- They are objects, never subjects.
- Add “-‘s” for possession: each other’s / one another’s.
- Only use them when the action goes both ways.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with each other, one another, or the possessive forms. (In many cases, both answers are acceptable in modern English; the suggested answers follow the traditional rule.)
- The two brothers always help ______ with homework.
- The six hikers encouraged ______ during the long climb.
- My best friend and I borrowed ______ bikes.
- The three colleagues respect ______ opinions.
- The couple writes to ______ every day.
Answers:
- each other
- one another
- each other’s
- one another’s
- each other
Conclusion
The difference between “each other” and “one another” comes down to a simple habit: two parties usually take “each other,” while larger groups traditionally take “one another.” Remember that both are objects, both can be possessive, and both describe actions that travel in two directions. Practise the sentences above, and soon this choice will feel completely natural.
FAQ
1. Is it wrong to use “each other” for more than two people?
No. The two-person rule for “each other” and the three-or-more rule for “one another” is a traditional guideline, not a strict law. Modern grammarians and native speakers regularly use “each other” with groups, and most style guides accept it. If you want to follow the traditional rule in formal writing, use “one another” for groups of three or more.
2. Can “each other” and “one another” be used as subjects?
No. They are reciprocal pronouns that function only as objects of verbs or prepositions. You can say “They respect each other,” but never “Each other respect them.” If you need a subject, use a plural pronoun like “they” or “we.”
3. What is the possessive form?
Simply add “-‘s” to the end: “each other’s” and “one another’s.” For example: “The students checked each other’s answers” and “The team members value one another’s feedback.” Note that the apostrophe comes before the “s” because the pronoun is singular in form.
4. What is the difference between “each other” and “themselves”?
Use “each other” when the action goes both ways between people: “Ana and Luis hugged each other” (Ana hugged Luis, and Luis hugged Ana). Use “themselves” when each person acts on him- or herself: “Ana and Luis looked at themselves in the mirror.” If the action points back to the same person, choose the reflexive pronoun; if it travels between people, choose the reciprocal pronoun.