acknowledged each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledged each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two or more parties recognizing or accepting one another, often in a social or formal context. Example: "As they entered the room, they acknowledged each other with a nod and a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Deng and Sui, meanwhile, barely acknowledged each other on the podium.

The Guardian - Sport

Black privates and officers, too, acknowledged each other in public with a Black Power salute.

The Guardian

This leads to interesting living situations, where riders who once barely acknowledged each other now share living space.

The New York Times - Sports

Riding on this bus, brother and sister never sat together, and had acknowledged each other only politely, with diffident smiles.

The New Yorker

Interviews now, let's hear what they have to say... Updated at 3.10pm BST 3.01pm BST Not sure Hamilton and Rosberg have acknowledged each other on the podium yet.

The Guardian - Sport

They came from divergent backgrounds — one the scion of an old aristocratic family, the other a poor Irish Catholic boy from Buffalo — and barely acknowledged each other while at Columbia Law School.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The two never acknowledged each others' presence, leaving for another day the direct confrontations that are sure to come.

The New York Times

Curly and Larry avoid acknowledging each other's physical reality.

The New Yorker

"We're out there like mummies, not acknowledging each other.

The New York Times - Sports

The people in Wheeldon's ballets acknowledge each other, mean something to each other.

The New Yorker

Still, at least an accidental smack requires two strangers to acknowledge each other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledged each other" to emphasize mutual recognition or acceptance, especially after a period of estrangement or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledged each other" when you actually mean that the parties agreed with each other. Acknowledgment simply means recognizing someone's presence or existence, not necessarily sharing their views.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledged each other" functions as a verb phrase indicating a mutual recognition or acceptance between two or more entities. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing interactions ranging from polite greetings to reluctant recognitions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acknowledged each other" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase signifying mutual recognition or acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits seamlessly into various contexts, particularly in news and media, where objective reporting is key. While synonyms like "recognized each other" or "greeted each other" offer slight variations in nuance, "acknowledged each other" provides a balanced and widely understood expression for describing interpersonal or intergroup recognition. Remember to use it accurately, emphasizing recognition rather than agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recognized one another

Emphasizes the mutual recognition between individuals.

Recognised each other

British English spelling variant.

Greeted each other

Focuses on the act of exchanging greetings.

Interacted with each other

Highlights the interaction or communication between individuals.

Noticed one another

Implies a simple awareness or acknowledgement of each other's presence.

Took note of each other

Suggests a formal acknowledgement or recording of each other's presence or actions.

Registered each other

Highlights the mutual impact.

Made contact with each other

Emphasizes that individuals interacted.

Observed one another

Highlights the act of watching or paying attention to each other.

Identified each other

Focuses on recognizing or establishing the identity of each other.

FAQs

How can I use "acknowledged each other" in a sentence?

You can use "acknowledged each other" to describe a situation where two or more parties recognize or greet each other, especially after a period of conflict. For example: "After the debate, the candidates "acknowledged each other" with a polite nod".

What's a good substitute for "acknowledged each other"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "recognized each other", "greeted each other", or "noticed one another".

Is it correct to say "acknowledged one another" instead of "acknowledged each other"?

Yes, both "acknowledged each other" and "acknowledged one another" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

What does it mean when two people barely "acknowledged each other"?

When two people barely "acknowledged each other", it means they showed very little or no recognition of each other's presence. This might involve a minimal nod or glance, or even complete avoidance.