Reciprocal Pronouns
Learn how each other and one another show that two or more people or things act toward one another in the same way.
Each other. One another.
A reciprocal pronoun shows a two-way, shared action.
A reciprocal pronoun shows that two or more people or things are doing the same thing to one another. The action or feeling goes both, or all, ways at once.
In the sentence Maria and Tom helped each other with the move., each other shows that Maria helped Tom, and Tom also helped Maria.
English has two reciprocal pronouns: each other and one another.
Before you begin
Reciprocal pronouns are related to reflexive pronouns.
Both types of pronoun can appear in similar positions in a sentence, but they show different relationships between the people involved.
Reviewing reflexive pronouns first may make the difference between the two easier to see.
The central idea
Reflexive pronouns and reciprocal pronouns describe different relationships.
Compare a sentence about one person acting on themselves with one about two people acting toward each other.
01
Reflexive
One person performs the action, and the same person receives it.
She blamed herself.
02
Reciprocal
Two or more people perform the same action toward one another.
They blamed each other.
The useful question is: Does the action go both ways between two or more people?
He hurt himself. → one person, action on self
They hurt each other. → two people, shared action
A reciprocal pronoun always needs at least two people or things for the shared action to make sense.
Each other and one another
English uses two reciprocal pronouns.
Each other
The two sisters call each other every weekend.
Each other is traditionally used for exactly two people or things.
One another
The members of the club supported one another throughout the year.
One another is traditionally used for more than two people or things.
In practice, the two forms are often used interchangeably
Many speakers and writers use each other and one another without strictly following the traditional two-versus-more-than-two distinction, and both are widely accepted in everyday English.
The possessive form
Reciprocal pronouns can also show shared possession.
Each other’s and one another’s
each other’s
one another’s
The neighbours often borrow each other’s tools.
The apostrophe and -s attach to the second word, other, to show possession.
Verbs commonly used with reciprocal pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns often follow verbs that describe a shared relationship.
Common verbs
help
know
understand
trust
look at
The colleagues trust each other completely.
These verbs describe relationships or actions that naturally involve more than one participant acting toward one another.
A useful decision guide
Ask how many people are involved, and whether the action is shared.
01
Are there at least two people or things involved?
A reciprocal pronoun always needs more than one participant.
02
Does the action go both, or all, ways?
Each participant both performs and receives the same action.
03
Is possession being shown?
Add -‘s to the end of the phrase, as in each other’s.
04
Is only one person performing and receiving the action?
Use a reflexive pronoun instead, such as himself or themselves.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse a shared action with a self-directed one.
Using a reflexive pronoun where the action is shared.
Not: The two friends supported themselves through college.
Correct: The two friends supported each other through college.
In the corrected sentence, each friend is supporting the other, not supporting only themselves.
Placing the apostrophe in the wrong spot.
Not: each others tools
Correct: each other’s tools
The apostrophe and -s belong on other, not left off entirely.
Using a reciprocal pronoun with only one participant.
Not: She talked to each other about the plan.
Correct: She talked to him about the plan.
A reciprocal pronoun requires at least two people or things sharing the action.
Check your understanding
Reciprocal pronoun or reflexive pronoun?
Choose the correct description for the highlighted pronoun.
The twins always finish each other’s sentences.
✅ Exactly! Each twin finishes the other twin’s sentences, a shared action.
❎ Not quite. Ask whether two different people are involved in the action.
A reciprocal pronoun always needs more than one participant.
He taught himself to play the piano.
✅ Exactly! Only one person is both teaching and being taught.
❎ Not quite. Only one person is involved in this action.
The two companies agreed to work with one another on the project.
✅ Exactly! Both companies are working together, sharing the action.
❎ Not quite. Two separate companies are involved here.
The cat groomed itself after eating.
✅ Exactly! Only one cat is performing and receiving the grooming.
❎ Not quite. Only one animal is mentioned in this sentence.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the reciprocal pronoun correctly.
Why does “They supported each other” need a reciprocal pronoun rather than a reflexive one?
✅ Exactly! The action of supporting went both ways between two people.
❎ Not quite. Think about who supported whom.
Why does “each other’s tools” use an apostrophe before the -s?
✅ Exactly! The apostrophe and -s attach to other to show possession.
❎ Not quite. Look at exactly which word the apostrophe is attached to.
Which sentence correctly uses a reciprocal pronoun?
✅ Exactly! More than one player is involved, sharing the action of congratulating.
❎ Not quite. Check how many people are actually involved in each sentence.
Try it another way
Complete the sentence with the correct reciprocal pronoun.
Type each other or one another, adding a possessive form if needed.
✅ Exactly! Both brothers know the other, so a reciprocal pronoun is correct.
❎ Not quite. Think of the pronoun used when two people share the same action.
✅ Exactly! The possessive form shows that the clothes belong to the other roommate.
❎ Not quite. This sentence needs the possessive form, with ‘s added to other.
✅ Exactly! With more than two members, one another fits the traditional pattern, though each other is also widely accepted.
❎ Not quite. More than two people are involved, so think about the reciprocal pronoun traditionally used for groups.
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence with the correct pronoun.
Decide whether a reciprocal pronoun or a reflexive pronoun is needed.
The two friends supported themselves through college. (rewrite so each friend supports the other)
✅ Exactly! Each other shows that the support went both ways between the two friends.
❎ Not quite. Replace the reflexive pronoun with a reciprocal one.
They borrowed each others tools. (add the missing apostrophe)
✅ Exactly! The apostrophe and -s belong on other.
❎ Not quite. Add the apostrophe and -s directly after other.
He taught each other to swim. (correct the pronoun, since only one person is involved)
✅ Exactly! With only one person, a reflexive pronoun is needed instead of a reciprocal one.
❎ Not quite. A reciprocal pronoun needs at least two participants, so use a reflexive pronoun here.
Quick review
The action moves between two or more people.
Reciprocal pronouns — each other and one another — show that two or more people or things act toward one another in the same way.
Each other traditionally refers to two people or things; one another traditionally refers to more than two, though both are widely used interchangeably today.
The possessive forms, each other’s and one another’s, add an apostrophe and -s to the word other.
A reciprocal pronoun always requires at least two participants sharing the same action.
When only one person performs and receives the action, a reflexive pronoun is needed instead.
Remember
Ask whether the action is shared between two or more people.
If everyone involved is both giving and receiving the same action, a reciprocal pronoun fits. If only one person is doing both, a reflexive pronoun is the correct choice instead.