LoginReciprocal Pronouns
This detailed lesson explains Reciprocal Pronouns in English with examples and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Reciprocal Pronouns?
'Reciprocal' means a mutual action or relationship between two or more participants. A reciprocal pronoun is a type of pronoun used to refer to two or more people or things who are carrying out an action or actions in a mutual manner.
English Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns are used to indicate that the action is being performed by both parties involved. There are two reciprocal pronouns in English:
Reciprocal Pronouns: Uses
Reciprocal pronouns are used to avoid repetition in a sentence where two or more people perform the same action, making the sentence more concise.
They are used when there are two or more participants or subjects, such as people, things, or groups, in a sentence. So, a reciprocal pronoun cannot be used when the subject is singular.
The subjects must be engaged in a reciprocal relationship or perform the same action.
Take a look at the following examples:
Sarah and I will meet each other tomorrow.
This sentence shows that tomorrow Sarah is going to meet me and I'm going to meet her. So, it's a reciprocal or mutual action.
Joey and Chandler love one another.
We shouldn't lie to one another.
When there are two people involved in the action, this sentence means I shouldn't lie to you and you shouldn't lie to me. But if there are more than two people involved, it means no one in the group should lie to others.
The kids are hitting each other.
Everyone in the group hated each other.
Here, the subject is an indefinite pronoun which refers to all members of the group and the fact that every member hates the other members.
Antecedent of Reciprocal Pronouns
As mentioned earlier, reciprocal pronouns show a mutual relationship. Therefore, they are always used in sentences where the subject is plural. Accordingly, using them in a sentence with a singular subject is grammatically incorrect. However, keep in mind that universal indefinite pronouns and collective nouns, although treated as grammatically singular, can be the antecedent for reciprocal pronouns, since they refer to a group. Take a look at this example:
I help each other.
"I" is a singular pronoun and cannot be the antecedent for reciprocal pronouns.
Everyone shook hands with one another.
"Everyone" is a universal indefinite pronoun which refers to a group, so it can be the antecedent for reciprocal pronouns
The couple loved each other unconditionally.
"Couple" is a collective noun referring to two people, so it can be the antecedent for a reciprocal pronoun.
Reciprocal Pronouns: Functions
Reciprocal pronouns serve as objects to show the action of the verb is performed on all participants. Accordingly, they cannot serve as the subject of a sentence or clause. So, the following sentences are incorrect:
She and I think each other are smart.
Roger and Suzy believe each other are guilty.
To correct the above sentences, the best alternative is to use the 'split reciprocal' structure.
She and I each think the other is smart.
It means she thinks I am smart and I think she is smart.
Roger and Suzy each believe the other is guilty.
Roger thinks Suzy is guilty and Suzy thinks Roger is guilty.
Possession with Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns can take -'s to form possessive structures. In this case, they are treated as singular pronouns, and -'s is added to their ending rather than a single apostrophe ('). Neither 'each other' nor 'one another' can take the plural possessive form, as both refer to individuals within a pair or a group. Pay attention to the examples:
We helped to take care of each other's dogs.
We cannot say 'We helped take care of each others' dogs'
They often had their meetings in one another's houses.
Not "one anothers' houses"
Each other vs. One another
Generally, there is no major difference between 'each other' and 'one another' and they can often be used interchangeably. However, 'one another' is considered slightly more formal. As a result, 'each other' is more commonly used in everyday speech and writing. Consider the following examples:
We meet each other every weekend.
We meet one another every weekend.
Both examples mean the same. But this sentence is slightly more formal.
Tip!
According to some strict grammarians, 'each other' should be used when referring to two subjects involved in an action or relationship, while 'one another' should be used when referring to more than two people.
Reflexive Pronouns vs. Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal and reflexive pronouns both can only serve as the object and both indicate a relationship between the subject and object of a sentence, but there is a difference between them:
Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject and object are the same, while reciprocal pronouns show a mutual action or relationship between two or more people. In other words, reflexive pronouns show that the subject acts on itself, while reciprocal pronouns show that the action is exchanged between two or more people, each acting on the other.
Take a look at the examples:
Maria and Melany helped each other.
In this sentence a reciprocal pronoun is used. And it means Maria helped Melany and Melany helped Maria.
Maria and Melany helped themselves.
The reflexive pronoun used in this sentence is plural. It means Maria helped herself and Melany also helped herself.
Review
Reciprocal pronouns indicate a mutual relationship between participants.
They cannot be used as the subjects of the sentences.
They can be possessive reciprocals by taking -'s.
examples | |
|---|---|
each other | They are having lunch with each other. |
one another | All of them were insulting one another. |
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses a reciprocal pronoun?
She prepared one another for the test.
The two friends always help each other with homework.
Each other respect the teacher and students.
B and C
Sort the words to make a sentence using a reciprocal pronoun.
Fill the blanks based on information form the lesson. (There are three extra options.)
Reciprocal pronouns are used when there are
or more participants performing the same action in a mutual manner.
A reciprocal pronoun cannot be used when the subject is
.
Reciprocal pronouns cannot be used as the
of a sentence.
Reciprocal pronouns
be used in possessive constructions.
Reciprocal pronouns are used to show that each participant is acting on
.
Which of the following sentences correctly rewrites the incorrect sentence "The twins believe each other are responsible for the mess."?
The twins each other believe is responsible for the mess.
The twins each believe each other is responsible for the mess.
The twins each believe the other is responsible for the mess.
Each other think the twins are responsible for the mess.
What distinguishes reflexive pronouns from reciprocal pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are formal while reciprocal pronouns are more informal.
Reciprocal pronouns are always plural, while reflexive pronouns can be singular or plural.
Reflexive pronouns cannot be used as subjects, but reciprocal pronouns can.
Reciprocal pronouns show mutual action, while reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject.
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