Pronouns Reciprocal

Talking about the definition of reciprocal pronoun, it is simply a pronoun that is used to signal that two or more people are performing or have performed an action of some sort, with both receiving the advantages and outputs of that action simultaneously. Anytime something is carried out or given in return, reciprocal pronouns are put to use. The same is true anytime mutual action is displayed.

Reciprocal pronouns are very easy to use. When we make reference to two people, you will ordinarily use “each other.” When making reference to more than two people, for example, the students in a classroom, you will generally use “one another.”

Types of Reciprocal Pronoun

In English grammar, it consists of only two reciprocal pronouns. Both of them enable you to make sentences easier to use. They are particularly useful when you need to express the same usual idea more than once. Following are the two types of reciprocal pronoun:-

• Each other

• One another

Reciprocal pronouns make usage of English sentences simpler. When you make reference to two people, you will generally use “each other.” When making mention to more than two people, for example, the students in a classroom, you will generally use “one another.”

Reciprocal Pronouns Examples

Reciprocal pronouns are mainly helpful in avoiding repetition within sentences. In the given below examples, reciprocal pronouns have been bolded for ease of identification.

• Alex and Samantha gave each other diamond rings on their engagement day.

• Ronald and Sherlyn kissed each other at the end of the ceremony.

• Mark and Anthony were talking to each other in the conference hall.

• We give each other sweets and gifts on Diwali.

• The team members congratulated one another after achieving the project target.

• The children spent the evening passing the ball to one another.

• The offenders blamed one another for the offence they were charged with.

Real-Life Examples of Reciprocal Pronouns

Below is a list of real-life examples of reciprocal pronouns:

When two people are like each other, they tend to like each other. (US author Tony Robbins)

• Men of honour do not read each other's mail. (US Secretary of War Henry Lewis. Stimson)

• Laws like the law of attraction lean on one another. (author and publisher William Walker Atkinson)

• 'American life relies on the reassurance that we like one another still won't breach one another's privacy. (Author Karan Mahajan)

Why to Care about Reciprocal Pronouns?

There are two ordinary questions associated with reciprocal pronouns that are as given:-

(Question 1) Do you use each other or each other?

We write each other and one another's as per grammar rules. (This is to say, put the apostrophe before the s when you require possessive form.) For example:-

• We drink one another's liquor and spoil our own health.

Even though a reciprocal pronoun means two or more people or things (referred to as its antecedent), the possessive form is formed by adding 's’ (i.e., such as forming the possessive form of a singular noun). Some writers, suspecting the plurality of a reciprocal pronoun, get a desire to position the apostrophe after the s (i.e., such as forming the possessive form of a plural noun). The apostrophe goes preceding the ‘s’.

(Question 2) What's the difference between each other and one another?

It is very simple, If there are two people or things referred to, use each other. If there are more than two, then use one another.

Mini Quiz with Reciprocal Pronoun Examples

You know what is a reciprocal pronoun. Now, test your knowledge with this quick quiz.

1. We can incorporate a reciprocal pronoun when each of two or more people or things acts in _______ towards the other.

Options

1. the same way

2. a different way

3. the opposite way

Answer: A- the same way

2. Which can appropriately fill the gap? "It's a nearby neighbourhood. They all know _______ really well."

Option

1. each other

2. each other OR one another

3. one another

Answer: B. each other OR one another

3. If Sherlyn saw Caroline and Caroline didn't see Sherlyn, can we say they saw each other?

Option

1. No

2. Yes

3. Maybe

Answer: C - No

Interesting Facts about Reciprocal Pronoun

• The reciprocal pronoun 'each other' is more frequently used in speech than 'one another' simply because the latter sounds a little formal.

• Also, some native English speakers say that we should use 'one another' only when we refer to three or more people or things; however, there is no logical justification for it.

• If you are made to write ‘each other rather than ‘one another, there are fair chances you can counterattack by claiming you had two people (or things) in mind.

• If you're made to write ‘one another’ rather than ‘each other’ (i.e., for incorporating one another using an antecedent of two), then you're grilled. More usually, if you’ve gathered for using an incorrect reciprocal pronoun, then you have a spearhead grammar pedant on your hands.

• If you require the possessive form of a sentence, use each other's and one another's (NOT each others' and one anothers').

• If you're making mention of two things, write to each other. If you're referring to more, use one another.