each other and one another

Question

Good morning Teachers,What's the difference between each other and one another? In the following examples, can they be used interchangeably? are there any instances in which they are not interchangeable? And if yes, what are those?Here are the examples I was talking about:1) They love each other OR  They love one another.2) They don't agree with each other OR They don't agree with one another.3) They are in agreement with each other OR They are in agreement with one another.4) Sarah and Tom get along with each other very well OR Sarah and Tom get along with one another very well. (could you also tell me the meaning of this sentence, please).5) The two friends share a good rapport  with each other Vs The two friends share a good rapport with one another. (please tell me the meaning of this sentence too)Thank you LB

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

According to some grammar books, each other is used when two people are involved, while one another is used with regard to more than two people. However, many writers do not follow this rule, and use them interchangeably.

Laborious · Answer

Thank you dear for your quick reply

So what's your advice for me? Should I use them interchangeably or follow the grammar books that tell us that 'each other' is used when two people are involved and 'one another' when more than two?

Could you please tell me the meaning of two sentences (share a good rapport) and (get along with)?

Thanks
LB

AlpheccaStars · Answer

They love one another. - This is a bit old-fashioned and sentimental.

Sarah and Tom get along with each other very well. - They are compatible, the work well together, and play well together.
This expression is often used to describe a child interacting with other children, but can be used for animals and adults, too.

5) The two friends share a good rapport with each other. They may or may not be share the same attitudes, but they sympathize with each other's views and communicate well.

RandomGuy · Answer

LaboriousIn the following examples, can they be used interchangeably?

Yes.

Laboriousare there any instances in which they are not interchangeable?

None. There is absolutely no difference in meaning between them. To my ear, one another is slightly more formal.

LaboriousSarah and Tom get along with each other very well OR Sarah and Tom get along with one another very well. (could you also tell me the meaning of this sentence, please).

It means they are friendly to each other. A reciprocal pronoun isn’t necessary here, though. You could just say Sarah and Tom get along very well.

LaboriousThe two friends share a good rapport with each other Vs The two friends share a good rapport with one another. (please tell me the meaning of this sentence too)

A rapport is a relationship of mutual trust, affinity, etc. Again, you could just say The two friends share a good rapport.

Enoon · Answer

Yoong Liat's rule is a good one, and if you follow it, you will annoy fewer readers, which is a good thing. It is more important not to use "each other" with more than two than it is not to use "one another" with two.

Laborious1) They love each other OR They love one another.

"One another" is quaint there. "They love each other" is usual.

Laborious2) They don't agree with each other OR They don't agree with one another.

It depends on how many "they" are.

Laborious3) They are in agreement with each other OR They are in agreement with one another.

Same as 2.

Laborious4) Sarah and Tom get along with each other very well OR Sarah and Tom get along with one another very well. (could you also tell me the meaning of this sentence, please).

"Each other" is better. "One another" sounds like you're being formal for no reason. "To get along" is to have a peaceable relationship. "Each other" is rather redundant with it, by the way: "Sarah and Tom get along very well."

Laborious5) The two friends share a good rapport with each other Vs The two friends share a good rapport with one another. (please tell me the meaning of this sentence too)

Same as 4. I think that "each other" is redundant with "share", and "share" is redundant in the first place with "rapport": "The two friends have a good rapport." That means they have things in common and understand each other.

RandomGuy · Answer

enoonYoong Liat's rule is a good one, and if you follow it, you will annoy fewer readers, which is a good thing. It is more important not to use "each other" with more than two than it is not to use "one another" with two.

It’s more of a prescription than a rule, and an arbitrary one at that. Grammar rules should be based on how people actually speak and write in standard English. If they don’t have that basis, they have no basis at all.

In any case, in Lee and Pat helped one another, no one would think I’m talking about more than two people, and in They helped [each other / one another], the antecedent of they should be clear from the context, regardless of which reciprocal pronoun is used.

Enoon · Answer

I was speaking from personal experience guided by my ear. Are you saying that "one another" and "each other" are completely interchangeable to yours? If so, then what can be your objection to someone who does hear a difference suggesting a guideline? (That last sentence, by the way, is the example I couldn't think of for when the possessive with a gerund is nigh on impossible.)

RandomGuy · Answer

enoonAre you saying that "one another" and "each other" are completely interchangeable to yours?

Yes. That, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean I’d find them equally natural in every case. I would normally say, for example, They love each other whether I was talking about two people or a group.

enoonIf so, then what can be your objection to someone who does hear a difference suggesting a guideline?

I wouldn’t object at all.

————

(Here’s another one: He couldn’t accept the possibility of there being more to life beyond fat-free pudding.)

each other and one another

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