Reciprocal pronouns, such as “each other” and “one with the other”, show that multiple subjects are performing related actions and receiving the consequences. They are similar to reflexive pronouns but indicate separate actions. “Each other” is commonly used for two subjects, while “one with the other” is used for more than two. Possessives can also be used with reciprocal pronouns. “Each other” can technically be used for more than two, but “each other” should never be used for only two subjects.
A reciprocal pronoun is a type of pronoun that shows that two or more people or objects are performing an action and receiving the consequences of an action at the same time. In English, there are two main reciprocal pronouns: “each other” and “one with the other”. They are somewhat related to reflexive pronouns, as the subject who performs the action also receives the action of the verb. A reflexive pronoun generally indicates an action, however, while a reciprocal pronoun indicates that the subjects are doing separate, but related actions, and always has a plural subject.
A very common reciprocal pronoun phrase is “each other.” This sentence would indicate that the subject of the sentence is two people or things, and also suggests that each of them performed different, but similar actions. For example, take the sentence: “Bob and Mary gave each other presents.” The two individuals who make up the subject of the sentence are each performing the action with separate direct objects, meaning they are not giving the exact same gift to each other. Instead, they are giving different gifts in different actions that are very similar and happening at the same time.
The other reciprocal pronoun is “one the other”. Just like the other, each other refers to a plural subject, but instead of indicating that the subject is just two people or objects, this indicates more than two. For example, take the sentence: Students talk to each other. In that example, the indication is that there are more than two students, although the sentence does not provide information on the exact number. Also, the action of the sentence, speaking, is performed and received by all students in the group.
Just as with nouns, it is possible for a reciprocal pronoun to take on a possessive. For example, take the sentence, “The sisters shared each other’s clothes.” In this case, the sisters are both doing an action, sharing, and the possessive is showing ownership of the clothes. In this case, the clothes belonged to both of them. The same construction can also be used with the phrase “each other”.
Technically, the phrase “each other” could also be used to mean more than two. There is no concrete grammatical rule regarding this usage. To be absolutely clear, however, the favorite phrase for more than two is “each other.” While it may not be technically incorrect, the slight variation between sentences could provide readers with a contextual clue that can help clarify the meaning. Conversely, the phrase “each other” should never be used when referring to only two people or objects.
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