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pronoun

each other

eech UH-thuh

Each other (pronoun) means used to show that each of two or more people or things does something to the other and receives the same thing back. Example: “The twins finish each other's sentences.”

pronoun
1
Used to show that each of two or more people or things does something to the other and receives the same thing back.
"The twins finish each other's sentences."
"We have known each other since school."

How to Use Each other

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed when two people or things do the same thing to one another.

Memory tip

Do not use a reflexive here: 'they saw each other', not 'they saw themselves', which would mean each looked at their own reflection.

Easily confused with
one another themselves the other
Common pairings
know each other help each other each other's talk to each other love each other
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Test yourself on “each other” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The twins finish _____'s sentences.

one another

Rhymes for each other

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'each other' and 'one another'?

In careful traditional usage, 'each other' is used for two people and 'one another' for three or more. In practice modern English treats them as interchangeable, and no reader will misunderstand either one.

Is it 'each other's' or 'each others''?

It is always 'each other's', with the apostrophe before the s, as in 'they wore each other's coats'. 'Each other' is treated as singular for possession, so 'each others'' is never correct.

Can 'each other' be the subject of a sentence?

No. It is a reciprocal pronoun and can only be an object or a possessive, as in 'they helped each other' or 'each other's homes'. Say 'they each thought the other was wrong', not 'each other thought'.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial