Course on Reciprocal Pronouns - TOEIC® Preparation
Reciprocal pronouns are used to indicate that an action is mutual between two or more people or things. In English, there are only two reciprocal pronouns: each other and one another.
When to use each other and one another?
Reciprocal pronouns are generally placed after the verb. Although these two pronouns have the same function and are often interchangeable, there is a traditional distinction:
- Each other is used to talk about two people or objects.
- Anna and Tom love each other.
- One another is used to talk about more than two people or objects.
- The team members respect one another.
However, in modern English, this distinction is less and less respected, and each other is often used in all situations.
How to express possession with reciprocal pronouns?
Reciprocal pronouns can be followed by « 's » to express possession.
- We looked at each other's phones.
- They borrowed one another's books.
Difference between reciprocal pronouns and reflexive pronouns
It is important not to confuse reciprocal pronouns with reflexive pronouns.
- Reciprocal pronouns imply a mutual action.
- They talk to each other every day. => (Mutual action)
- Reflexive pronouns indicate that the action is done on oneself.
- He talks to himself in the mirror. => (Action on oneself)
But you can read our course on reflexive pronouns here
Conclusion
Reciprocal pronouns, each other and one another, allow expressing a mutual action between two or more people or objects. Although traditionally distinguished according to the number of elements involved, they are interchangeable in modern English. They are used after the verb and can be followed by 's to express possession. It is essential not to confuse them with reflexive pronouns, which designate an action done on oneself.