“Each other” vs “One another” | What is the Difference?
“Each other” and “one another” are both used to indicate a reciprocal relationship or action between two or more subjects. “Each other” is used for two subjects while “one another” is used for more than two.
In modern English, this distinction is often not strictly followed, and both phrases are commonly used interchangeably regardless of the number of subjects involved.
What does “Each other” mean?
Each other” is a reciprocal pronoun used in English to express a mutual or reciprocal action or relationship between two parties. It indicates that the subjects in question are both the doers and the receivers of the action described by the verb.
The use of “each other” implies that there is an interaction where both or all parties involved are performing the same action towards one another, sharing the experience or effect of that action.
It is used to construct sentences where two subjects interact with one another in some way. “Each other” is specifically chosen to indicate actions that are done mutually and reciprocally. When “each other” is used, it reflects a symmetry in the action or relationship, suggesting that what one subject does to the other, the other also does in return.
Example:
- “The siblings always support each other in times of need.”
- This sentence implies that the support is mutual—each sibling supports the other.
- “The partners thanked each other after the successful project completion.”
- Here, “each other” indicates that both partners expressed thanks to one another, showcasing mutual gratitude.
What does “One another” mean?
“One another” is a reciprocal pronoun in English, used to indicate a mutual or reciprocal action or relationship among three or more parties.
It signifies that each member of a group engages in the same action towards the others, highlighting a sense of collaboration, mutual interaction, or shared experience within a collective. “One another” is employed to construct sentences where multiple subjects (typically more than two) are involved in reciprocal actions.
This pronoun is particularly useful for emphasizing actions that are shared among a group, reinforcing the idea of teamwork, shared responsibilities, or mutual support. The use of “one another” emphasizes the dynamics within a group, where actions are not limited to a single exchange between two individuals but extend across a community or collective.
Example:
- “The students in the class encouraged one another before the final exams.”
- This sentence illustrates that the encouragement was a shared experience among all students in the class.
- “During the meeting, the committee members listened to one another attentively.”
- Here, “one another” conveys that the act of listening was not isolated; instead, each member listened to the others, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
Difference Between “Each other” and “One another”
| Aspect | Each Other | One Another |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Use | Used to refer to a reciprocal relationship or action between two subjects. | Used for more than two subjects to indicate a reciprocal relationship or action. |
| Modern Use | Often used interchangeably with ‘one another’ regardless of the number of subjects. | Also used interchangeably with ‘each other’, not strictly adhering to the number of subjects. |
| Example with Two Subjects | ‘John and Mary helped each other.’ | Now commonly accepted: ‘The two friends trusted one another.’ |
| Example with More Than Two Subjects | Less commonly used but acceptable in modern English: ‘The team members encouraged each other.’ | ‘The community members supported one another during the crisis.’ |
| Usage in Formal Writing | In formal writing, traditionally preferred for actions involving two parties. | In formal writing, might be chosen for actions involving more than two parties to maintain traditional distinction. |
| Usage in Informal Writing | In informal writing, used freely without strict adherence to the number of parties involved. | In informal contexts, the distinction is less observed, and ‘one another’ is used similarly to ‘each other’. |
FAQs on “Each other” vs “One another”
What is difference between one another and each other?
“Each other” refers to a reciprocal action between two parties while “one another” is used for actions among three or more. In modern usage, this distinction is often not strictly followed, and both phrases are used interchangeably.
How to use each other and one another correctly?
Use “each other” for mutual actions between two people or things, and “one another” for interactions involving more than two. Despite this traditional guideline, contemporary usage often sees them as interchangeable in many contexts.
What is the meaning of one another?
“One another” is a reciprocal pronoun used to indicate a mutual or reciprocal action or relationship among three or more subjects, implying that each subject in the group performs the action towards the others and receives it in return.
What does it mean to be each other?
To be “each other” implies a mutual or reciprocal relationship or action between two subjects, meaning they perform the same action towards one another or share a particular relationship where both parties are both the doers and the receivers.