What Are Reciprocal Pronouns? (with Examples)

What Is A Reciprocal Pronoun?

A reciprocal pronoun is a pronoun that indicates that two or more people are performing or have performed some kind of action, both of which receive the benefits or consequences of that action at the same time. Any time something is done or given in exchange, reciprocal pronouns are used. The same applies when expressing interactions.

There are only two (2) reciprocal pronouns. Both of these allow you to make sentences easier. These are especially useful when you need to express the same general idea more than once.

1. Each other
2. One another

Reciprocal pronouns are easy to use. When you want to refer to two (2) people, you usually use “each other.” When referring to more than two (2) people, for example students in a lecture hall, you would usually use “one another.”

1. Each Other
“Each other” is used in the sentence when there is need to show two (2) persons performing same action.

For Example

• That can’t talking to each other.
• Why do you answer each other?
• Alex and Jerry loathe each other.
• The two brother loved each other.
• Peter and Smith admire each other.
• Friends helped each other test the group.
• Bikes collide with each other on icy roads.
• Both teams fought hard against each other.
• Ali and Jane goodbye to each other as they left the playground.
• The two sisters looked at each other when I asked for my money.

2. One Another
“One another” is in sentences when more than two people performing the same action need to be shown.

For Example

• They cheated on one another.
• The boys fought with one another.
• They asked one another the same question.
• The dogs were happily grooming one another.
• The cats were happily decorating one another.
• Ben and Frank like to throw the ball at one another.
• The Nurses rely on one another for peer consultations.
• Betty and Veronica love to give one another surprise gifts.
• The angry people were all pointing fingers at one another.
• All the brothers in my uncle's family used to quarrel with one another.
• The races were tripping one another as soon as the race was over.

Use of Reciprocal Pronouns

Use of reciprocal pronouns in a sentence, two or more persons, things, or groups performing the same verb must be used.
I, you, he, she and we cannot use reciprocal pronouns with each other because multiple pronouns require multiple nouns and pronouns to share feelings or verbs.

Examples of Reciprocal Pronouns

Reciprocal pronouns help prevent repetition in sentences. In the following examples, reciprocal pronouns are slanted for ease of identification.

There are:

• The thugs fought with one another.
• The kids played ball with each other.
• They both love each other very much.
• The couple argued against one another.
• On holidays we give gifts to each other.
• They give one another gifts on vacation.
• Ten prisoners were blaming one another.
• Andrew and Joe exchange gifts each other.
• The kids were kicking one another with balls.
• The team players are discussing with each other.
• The defendants blamed one another for their crimes.
• The coaches of the team have discussed with each other.
• At the end of the ceremony, Maria and Juan kissed each other.
• Juan and Jerry gave each other gold rings on their wedding day.
• Juan and Maria kissed each other at the end of the party.
• Terry and Jack were talking to one another on the street.
• Mike didn't know that his friends depended on each other.
• College students congratulated one another at the end of the game.
• Henry and his colleagues were talking to each other after the board meeting.
• Jane and Ali go to the playground to say goodbye to one another.

Exercises For You

Below we provide some exercises to help you improve your knowledge of reciprocal pronouns. You will get detailed information about the reciprocal pronouns given above and test your skills by doing the following exercises.

Choose the correct mutual pronoun in the space provided in the following sentences and fill in the given answer:

There are:

1. Suman and Rama support and admire ________.
2. My neighbors hate _____________.
3. Those people were angry and warning __________.
4. Both teams have won however commenting ___________.
5. They have distributed gift to _____________.
6. Why do they fight _____________?
7. We can’t talk to _____________.
8. My sisters love _____________ very much.
9. All the cars on road are hitting ____________.
10. Duke and Dick say goodbye to ____________ daily when school becomes off.
11. Good students help ___________ during exam time.
12. They asked __________ about their problems.
13. We share everything to ___________ without any problem.
14. We like to give surprises to _______ at special events.
15. Doctors keep themselves in touch to _______ to be up-to-date.
16. Dogs are barking by seeing _____________.
17. Horses in the race are trying to win by defeating _____________.
18. Geeta and Seeta have helped _____________.
19. We sent invitation to _________ for Christmas celebration.
20. They are very selfish and don't help to ________.
21. They love _____________ very much.
22. Both of my friends hate _____________.
23. Many prisoners were fighting to ___________.
24. My both friends worked hard for exam against ___________.
25. We gave a hug to _____________.
26. They never believe _____________.
27. Why gangsters fight _____________.
28. Students were calling _____________ for help.
29. They are buying clothes to _____________.
30. Why they never help _____________.

Answers: 

1 – each other, 2 – each other, 3 – one another, 4 – each other, 5 – each other, 6 – one another, 7 – each other, 8 – one another, 9 – one another, 10 – each other, 11 – one another, 12 – each other, 13 – each other, 14 – each other, 15 – one another, 16 – each other, 17 – one another, 18 – one another, 19 – each other, 20 – one another, 21 – each other, 22 – each other, 23 – one another, 24 – each other, 25 – each other, 26 – each other, 27 – one another, 28 – each other, 29 – one another, 30 – each other