beat each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beat each other" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or more people competing or struggling against each other in an attempt to be the best or most successful. For example, "The two teams were determined to beat each other in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The commandant orders beatings; the prisoners beat each other.

The New Yorker

But we would beat each other.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We both want to beat each other.

The Guardian - Sport

The inmates would beat each other up.

The Guardian

A lot of teams, we beat each other up".

The New York Times - Sports

We play basketball, beat each other up, listen to rap.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We don't have to beat each other to prosper".

The New York Times - Tech

They beat each other into a pulp, then hug afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

But it's horrible watching men beat each other up, also.

The Guardian - Sport

They beat each other silly and fall into the dirt.

The New York Times - Books

"But we love trying to beat each other.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beat each other" to describe scenarios where direct competition or conflict exists between two or more entities, whether in sports, business, or personal relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "beat each other" when the action isn't mutual or reciprocal. Ensure that both parties are actively involved in the competition or conflict. For example, don't say "He beat each other" if there's only one participant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beat each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more subjects are performing the action of "beating" in relation to one another. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage in sports, competitions, and conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beat each other" is a commonly used reciprocal verb phrase that describes competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in news, sports, and general conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "outdo each other" or "best each other" in formal contexts. Remember to ensure reciprocity when using this phrase, and consult the provided guidance to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeat each other

Focuses on the outcome of the competition, where one party overcomes the other.

best each other

Uses "best" as a verb, meaning to outdo or defeat, offering a slightly more formal tone than "beat".

compete against each other

Replaces the more direct term "beat" with the general verb "compete", focusing on the act of striving against one another.

outdo each other

Focuses on surpassing or exceeding one another in performance or achievement.

fight each other

Replaces "beat" with "fight", emphasizing physical or metaphorical conflict.

overcome one another

Similar to "defeat", but suggests a broader sense of prevailing over challenges posed by another.

vie with one another

Uses a more formal and literary term "vie" to suggest a competitive effort.

dominate one another

Implies a stronger level of control or power exerted by one party over the other.

struggle against each other

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in opposing one another.

gain an advantage over each other

Shifts the focus to gaining a strategic advantage in a competitive situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "beat each other" to describe competitive scenarios. For example, "The teams are striving to "defeat each other" in the tournament".

What's a less aggressive alternative to "beat each other"?

Consider using phrases like "compete against each other" or "vie with one another" to soften the tone.

Is it appropriate to use "beat each other" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "beat each other" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Alternatives like "outdo each other" or "best each other" could be more suitable.

What's the difference between "beat each other" and "fight each other"?

"Beat each other" implies competition where the goal is to outperform, while "fight each other" suggests a more aggressive, possibly physical, conflict.