Explanation of Reciprocal Pronouns

Reciprocal Pronouns meaning

Reciprocal pronouns are a special type of pronoun used to indicate an action or feeling that is reciprocated or mutually experienced by two or more people or things in a sentence. They demonstrate that the action is happening between or among the individuals or items involved. In English, there are two primary reciprocal pronouns: “each other” and “one another”. Here’s an explanation of how Reciprocal pronouns work:

How to Use Reciprocal Pronouns

1. Each Other: “Each other” is used when referring to two individuals or things reciprocating an action or feeling between themselves. It is typically used in sentences involving pairs or a limited number of subjects.

– Sarah and Tom love each other.
– The two teams competed against each other fiercely.

2. One Another: “One another” is a more general reciprocal pronoun used when referring to a larger group of individuals or things reciprocating an action or feeling among themselves. It is often used in sentences involving three or more subjects.

– The members of the committee respect one another.
– In the crowded room, people bumped into one another frequently.

When to Use Reciprocal Pronouns

Reciprocal pronouns are used to convey the idea of mutual interaction or mutual impact among the subjects in a sentence. They are commonly used in various contexts, such as relationships, teamwork, and social interactions, to express the idea of reciprocity. Here are some key points to keep in mind about reciprocal pronouns:

– They are always plural, even when referring to only two subjects.
– Reciprocal pronouns are used to emphasize the mutual nature of an action or feeling.
– They can appear as the subject or object of a sentence.

Are ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ Reciprocal Pronouns Interchangeable?

It’s important to note that in some cases, the use of “each other” and “one another” can be interchangeable, especially when referring to two subjects. However, “one another” is generally preferred for larger groups or when the number of subjects is unspecified or more than two.

Reciprocal Pronouns: Examples of “Each Other” and “One Another” in Action

Here are eight examples using reciprocal pronouns:

Each Other:

1. Sally and John always support each other during challenging times.
2. The two rival teams congratulated each other on a game well played.
3. Lisa and Mark often share ideas with each other to improve their work.
4. As siblings, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

One Another:

1. In the spirit of teamwork, the colleagues consistently help one another meet tight deadlines.
2. The members of the book club enjoy recommending novels to one another.
3. The neighbors on the street often lend tools and equipment to one another.
4. Students in the class regularly collaborate, offering assistance to one another in understanding complex concepts.

Reciprocal Pronouns Exercises with Answers

Here are ten sentences where you can choose between “each other” and “one another” to fill in the blank:

1. Maria and Tom know a lot about computers, and they often help ________ with technical issues.
2. The students in the study group always share their notes and help ________ understand complex concepts.
3. The two neighboring countries have a history of cooperation; they frequently consult ________ on matters of mutual interest.
4. The siblings promised to keep in touch and visit _______ regularly, even after moving to different cities.
5. The team members congratulated _______ on their individual successes during the competition.
6. Sarah and Emily are such good friends; they confide in ________ about everything.
7. The participants in the workshop were encouraged to collaborate and learn from ______.
8. After the argument, the friends decided to give _______ some space to cool off.
9. The members of the hiking club always support _______ during challenging trails.
10. The two rival companies decided to set aside their differences and collaborate to benefit ________.

Reciprocal Pronouns – possible answers

1. Maria and Tom know a lot about computers, and they often help each other with technical issues.
2. The students in the study group always share their notes and help each other understand complex concepts.
3. The two neighboring countries have a history of cooperation; they frequently consult one another on matters of mutual interest.
4. The siblings promised to keep in touch and visit each other regularly, even after moving to different cities.
5. The team members congratulated one another on their individual successes during the competition.
6. Sarah and Emily are such good friends; they confide in each other about everything.
7. The participants in the workshop were encouraged to collaborate and learn from one another.
8. After the argument, the friends decided to give each other some space to cool off.
9. The members of the hiking club always support each other during challenging trails.
10. The two rival companies decided to set aside their differences and collaborate to benefit one another.

To continue exploring, keep reading – each other vs one another