One another
The following sentence is taken from "Munich", a novel by Robert Harris.
Such an agreement is only morally justified if both nations promise one another solemnly never to wage war against one another again.
My question is this:
Why does the author use "one another" instead of "each other" since he talks about two nations (both nations)?
Thank you.
Top answer
The idea that "each other" should be used for two things and "one another" for more than two is not a fixed rule of English. Some people believe that there should be such a distinction and other people do not.
- The idea that "each other" should be used for two things and "one another" for more than two is not a fixed rule of English.
- Some people believe that there should be such a distinction and other people do not.
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The idea that "each other" should be used for two things and "one another" for more than two is not a fixed rule of English. Some people believe that there should be such a distinction and other people do not.
0I had never heard of that rule until now. I see that some people follow the "rule" that "each other" is for two things, and "one another" is for more than two. In the real world, it is unimportant except when you are writing for a professor who marks off for it. Still, if it will make them happy, it might be better to follow the rule in your own formal writing.
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