each other

pronoun

1. each the other; one another (used as a compound reciprocal pronoun).

   to strike at each other; to hold each other's hands; to love each other.

each other

pronoun

1. used when the action, attribution, etc, is reciprocal

   furious with each other

Usage

Although some insist that each other be used only in reference to two ( The two candidates respected each other ) and one another in reference to three or more ( The three nations threaten one another ), in standard practice they are interchangeable. Each other is not restricted to two, nor is one another restricted to three or more. The possessive of each other is each other's; the possessive of one another is one another's.

Each other and one another are interchangeable in modern British usage

Word History and Origins

Origin of each other¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English. See each, other

Idioms and Phrases

Also, one another. Each one the other, one the other, as in The boys like each other, or The birds were fighting one another over the crumbs. Both of these phrases indicate a reciprocal relationship or action between the subjects preceding (the boys, the birds). Formerly, many authorities held that each other should be confined to a relationship between two subjects only and one another used when there are more than two. Today most do not subscribe to this distinction, which was never strictly observed anyway. [Late 1300s] Also see at each other's throats.

Example Sentences

She described children being detained, saying federal agents “had them zip tied to each other.”

From Salon

Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert were guests on each other’s shows Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

“We didn’t have much, but we enjoyed each other’s company,” Baruch said.

From Los Angeles Times

“My only ask is that every single guy be ready when called upon! Keep your minds right, we’re gonna need every single one of you guys! Stay in it, stay focused, keep playing for each other! Let’s go!”

From Los Angeles Times

Atlas even speculates that the horse-hair boxing gloves used by each had worn down so much during the fight that they were basically hitting each other with bare fists.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• one