What is a reciprocal pronoun?

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You must be well familiar with the verb ‘reciprocate’ which means to give back or give in return. A reciprocal pronoun as such is used when there are two or more individuals involved in the action and when the same is reciprocated.

The phrases ‘one another’ and ‘each other’ are pronominal phrases or reciprocal pronouns that express a mutual relation referring to the subject in the plural. Reciprocal pronouns are used to indicate an action carried out by two persons and so also the consequences experienced at the same time.

What is the use of reciprocal pronouns?

Reciprocal pronouns simplify the meaning of sentences especially where the same idea has to be expressed more than once in a sentence. For example the following sentence, “Paul gave Ann a diamond ring on their engagement ceremony and Ann gave Paul a diamond ring” can be written better using a reciprocal pronoun. There is no doubt that the following sentence sounds better, “Paul and Ann gave each other diamond rings on their engagement ceremony.”

Another example would make the usage clearer: “Paul and Ann hugged each other.” The reciprocal pronoun ‘each other’ used in the above sentence indicates that both Paul and Ann carrying out the action of hugging got the consequence, ‘hugs’ at the same time.

The reciprocal pronoun ‘one another’ is used when more than two persons are referred to in a given situation. For example as in the following cases, “The boys in this class generally help one another while doing the project.” “The members of the football team congratulated one another on winning the world cup.”

What are the things to remember while using reciprocal pronouns?

• The commonly used reciprocal pronouns ‘one another’ and ‘each other’ are not words used individually but are used together as phrases.
• The use of a reciprocal pronoun suggests the existence of multiple nouns or a plural noun in the sentence. This is because a reciprocal pronoun requires another person to share the feeling or action.
• Reciprocal nouns are used when two or more persons are performing the same the same action or thing.
• Reciprocal pronouns should be used when both the individuals are equally responsible for the action or feeling.
• Reciprocal pronouns can be used in the possessive form as in this sentence, “Paul and Ann can wear each other’s jacket. Thus by adding the apostrophe‘s’ to the reciprocal pronoun, the meaning is correctly expressed in the possessive form. Here it means that Paul and Ann both have jackets that the other can fit into easily. 

How are reciprocal pronouns used in sentences?

1. John and Bruce hate each other.
2. The friends gave one another gifts.
3. The prisoners were fighting one another.
4. The two teams fought long against each other.
5. The cars were touching each other in the traffic jam.
6. They always distrust each other.
7. The gang of boys was accusing one another. 

In common English usage you may come across more instances of the use of the reciprocal pronoun ‘each other’. This is because t he use of the reciprocal pronoun ‘one another’ sounds more formal.