target each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two or more entities are focusing their efforts or actions towards one another, often in competitive or adversarial situations. Example: "In the game, players are encouraged to target each other to gain points and advance to the next level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I think girls target each other in the most demeaning way possible," said Lauren Parsekian, a documentary filmmaker and president of the Kind Campaign, based in Los Angeles.

The New York Times

She probably should have seen this coming: Comedy Central has been organizing these celebrity roasts since 2003, and the format encourages roasters to target each other nearly as often as they do the guest of honor.

The New Yorker

But the rebels are rivals as well as allies: they are beginning to target each other, as well as the government's troops.Even if Mr Assad cannot control his country, he has every reason to fight on.

The Economist

The memo states that the Five-Eyes agreement "has evolved to include a common understanding that both governments will not target each other's citizens/persons".

The Guardian

"[The 1946 UKUSA] agreement has evolved to include a common understanding that both governments will not target each other's citizens/persons.

The Guardian

"The tit-for-tat operations in which Gulf and Zetas elements target each other's vital support networks appear to have been elevated to a higher level with bigger stakes," the Stratfor report said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Only recently, however, have the two so directly targeted each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands fled their homes as both sides targeted each other and civilians.

The Guardian

Millions of men, women and children like her have repeatedly fled the rapidly shifting alliances among myriad armies and armed groups who, when not targeting each other, prey on civilians.

The Guardian - Opinion

After some time, inevitably, the oprichniki began targeting each other for denunciation and execution, and in 1572 Ivan dissolved the increasingly chaotic organisation.In the meantime the independent authority and privilege of the boyar class had been smashed.

The Economist

Many of these examples are based on mathematical papers and there are times where it is easier mathematically if you have two groups of people who are targeting each other – so translating that into the traditional story of boy meets girls is how it has worked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “target each other” when you want to convey a sense of focused action or intent between two or more parties, often implying strategy or conflict. For example, rival companies might “target each other’s” market share.

Common error

Avoid using “target each other” when the action is purely accidental or coincidental; “target” implies intention. If actions are unintentional, consider alternatives like “encounter” or “affect”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more entities are performing the action of "targeting" towards one another. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "target each other" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe reciprocal actions, particularly in contexts involving strategy, competition, or conflict. As verified by Ludwig, it's appropriate for various registers, from news reporting to scientific discussions. While it is widely used across News & Media and Science categories, avoid using it when the actions are unintentional. Alternatives like "attack one another" or "compete against each other" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attack one another

Emphasizes a more aggressive and direct form of confrontation.

compete against each other

Focuses on rivalry and striving for advantage.

oppose one another

Highlights conflict or disagreement.

be at odds with one another

Suggests a state of disagreement or conflict.

clash with each other

Implies a forceful encounter or confrontation.

vie with each other

Emphasizes striving for superiority or victory.

cross swords with each other

Idiomatic expression for engaging in a debate or argument.

be pitted against each other

Highlights being set up to compete or fight.

lock horns with one another

Suggests a direct and forceful confrontation.

act antagonistically toward each other

Indicates a hostile or unfriendly approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "target each other" to describe situations where entities are focusing their actions or efforts toward one another. For example: "The two rival gangs began to "target each other"'s territories".

What are some alternatives to "target each other"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attack one another", "compete against each other", or "oppose one another".

Is "target each other" formal or informal?

"Target each other" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news reporting and analytical writing.

What does it mean when groups "target each other"?

When groups ""target each other"", it suggests they are intentionally directing actions, strategies, or criticisms towards one another, often in a competitive or adversarial way.