Each other and one another when two or more people do the same thing

Grammar: Reciprocal pronouns: each other and one another

We use the reciprocal pronouns each other and one another when two or more people do the same thing. Traditionally, each other refers to two people and one another refers to more than two people, but this distinction is disappearing in modern English.

• 
  Peter and Mary helped one another.
  = Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter.
  
• 
  We sent each other Christmas cards.
  = We sent them a Christmas card and they sent us a Christmas card.
  
• 
  They didn’t look at one another. 
  = He didn't look at her and she didn't look at him
  

We also use the possessive forms each other’s and one another’s:

They helped to look after each other’s children.

We often stayed in one another’s houses.

NOTE: We do not use reciprocal pronouns as the subject of a clause.

Exercise 2. Replace the words in brackets by the correct personal pronouns. Note that Sue is the person speaking. The (*) means that you are asked a question.

1. 
   My name is Sue. (Sue) ______ am English. And this is my family.
   
2. 
   My mum's name is Angie. (Angie) _______ is from Germany.
   
3. 
   Bob is my dad. (My dad) ________ is a waiter.
   
4. 
   On the left you can see Simon. (Simon) _______ is my brother.
   
5. 
   (Sue and Simon) ________  are twins.
   
6. 
   Our dog is a girl, Judy. (Judy) _______ is two years old.
   
7. 
   (Sue, Simon, Angie and Bob) ________ live in Canterbury.
   
8. 
   (Canterbury) ________  is not far from London.
   
9. 
   My grandparents live in London. (My grandparents) _____ often come and see us.
   
10. 
    What can (*) _______  tell me about your family?