sent one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent one another" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey the idea of mutual sending, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "They sent one another letters every week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In other cases, improvements were so dramatic that doctors on the trial sent one another "before and after" CT scans of their patients, to show tumors that had all but disappeared.

Huffington Post

And players sent one another text messages announcing the arrival of their new quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

Five and a half million Finns sent one another more than a billion instant messages in the year 2000.

The New York Times - Magazine

Groups of students who worked together as Bear interns last summer sent one another frenzied e-mail messages every time they talked to former colleagues.

The New York Times

I'm sure hundreds of people who were part of the effort to regulate tobacco over the years sent one another similar messages.

The New York Times

It all started when Ms. Batcha, 33, the publisher, was in a writing group in which members sent one another their stories by mail.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Every bonus season, Wall Street analysts send one another Excel spreadsheets, based on published reports and word-of-mouth, that detail which banks are paying what.

The New York Times

Even more remarkably, the network also allows plants to send one another warnings.

The New Yorker

But at Bear Stearns, the directors regularly send one another memos about their causes.

The New York Times

For example, think about the loss of letters we used to send one another and save.

The New York Times - Tech

Line Music users will be able to send one another music and playlists through the messenger app.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing like "sent each other" or "exchanged" to improve readability and avoid potential grammatical ambiguity.

Common error

Be aware that using "sent one another" can sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers. Choose more direct alternatives to avoid confusing your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent one another" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reciprocal action. While it aims to describe the act of multiple parties sending something to each other, it's less common and idiomatic than alternatives. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered incorrect in standard written English, suggesting it deviates from typical grammatical norms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sent one another" attempts to convey a reciprocal action of sending, it's considered grammatically questionable and less common than alternatives like "sent each other" or "exchanged". Ludwig AI highlights that it's not considered correct in standard written English. Although it appears in various sources, including News & Media and Science, its usage can sound awkward. Therefore, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing to enhance readability and avoid potential ambiguity. Choose the alternatives like "sent each other" or "exchanged".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sent each other

Replaces "one another" with the simpler and more common "each other".

exchanged

Uses a single verb to indicate the mutual action of sending.

transmitted reciprocally

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the action using a more formal tone.

communicated

Broadens the action to include any form of communication, not just sending.

passed between them

Focuses on the movement of something from one person to another.

shared

Highlights the idea of a common experience or possession.

mutually dispatched

Uses a more formal and less common verb for sending, emphasizing the shared action.

interchanged

Similar to 'exchanged', but can imply a more complex or involved interaction.

relayed to each other

Focuses on the action of conveying information or objects.

swapped

Informal term suggesting a trade or exchange.

FAQs

Is "sent one another" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "sent one another" appears in some publications, it is less common and can sound awkward. More common and grammatically sound alternatives include "sent each other" or "exchanged".

What's the difference between "sent one another" and "sent each other"?

The phrase "sent each other" is generally preferred over "sent one another" because it's more concise and commonly accepted in standard English.

How can I replace "sent one another" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use verbs like "exchanged", "shared", or rephrase the sentence to use "sent to each other" for better clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "sent one another"?

While occasionally found in published text, it's generally advisable to avoid "sent one another" in formal writing. Opt for "sent each other" or a more descriptive verb like "exchanged" to ensure your writing is clear and grammatically sound.