each other

USAGE SUMMARY

'each other' is a correct and usable part of speech in written English.
You can use 'each other' when discussing the mutual relationship between two things, people, etc., to indicate that the relationship applies to both. For example: "The two friends helped each other with their respective studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each other.

Independent

"Murdering each other, starving each other".

The New Yorker

We get each other.

The New York Times - Arts

They loathe each other.

The Economist

"We trained each other".

The New York Times - Science

We like each other.

The New York Times

They faced each other.

The New Yorker

"To protect each other".

The New York Times

"You deserve each other.

Independent

"They complement each other.

The New York Times - Magazine

JE: With each other.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "each other" to clearly indicate a reciprocal action or relationship between two entities. For relationships involving more than two, consider using "one another".

Common error

Avoid using "one another" when referring to a reciprocal relationship between only two people or things. The correct phrase is "each other". For example, "The two siblings support each other", not "one another".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "each other" functions as a reciprocal pronoun, indicating a mutual action or relationship between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "each other" connects subjects in a two-way interaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "each other" functions as a reciprocal pronoun, denoting a mutual relationship or action between two entities. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While similar to "one another", it's crucial to reserve "each other" for relationships involving only two subjects. Utilizing "each other" effectively ensures clarity and precision in expressing shared actions or feelings. It's essential to understand, as well, that "each other's" is the possessive form, used to indicate ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one another

Synonymous with "each other", but typically used when referring to more than two entities.

mutually

Adverb emphasizing the shared or reciprocal nature of an action or feeling.

reciprocally

Highlights the reciprocal exchange or interaction between entities.

in turn

Suggests a sequential exchange of actions or feelings.

between themselves

Emphasizes the interaction or relationship occurring within a specific group.

among themselves

Similar to 'between themselves', but implies a larger group dynamic.

together

Indicates a shared or collective action without necessarily implying reciprocity.

each to the other

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing reciprocity.

correspondingly

Suggests a parallel or matching action in response to another.

in relation

Implies a connection or interaction between entities but does not necessarily denote reciprocity.

FAQs

How is "each other" different from "one another"?

"Each other" is typically used to refer to two entities, while "one another" is used for three or more. For example, "The two friends help "each other"," but "The team members support "one another"."

What does "each other" mean?

The phrase "each other" is a reciprocal pronoun that indicates a mutual relationship or action between two people or things. It means that each person or thing is doing something to or for the other.

Can I use "mutually" instead of "each other"?

While "mutually" can sometimes replace "each other", it's an adverb and changes the sentence structure. For example, instead of "They respect each other", you could say "They respect each other mutually", but it changes the emphasis.

Is "each other's" grammatically correct?

Yes, "each other's" is grammatically correct and indicates possession. For example, "They borrowed "each other's" books."