Pronouns describe or represent people or things by replacing nouns. Pronouns are the shortened words that we use in speech and writing to avoid repetition and any uncertain confusion.
Pronouns are an important part of speech. While we all know the basic concept of pronouns, there are further classifications within it. Today, we will discuss one such classification called reciprocal pronouns.
Reciprocal pronouns basically involve two or more together having the same connection concerning their activities. Let us understand how and where reciprocal pronouns are used and what are the rules regarding their usage.
What are reciprocal pronouns?
Reciprocal pronouns are pronouns that are used to refer to two or more people engaging in some activity of the same type and where both ends are the equal receivers of its consequences or benefits.
In short, reciprocal pronouns refer to people indulging in the same activities with the same consequences. These actions are reciprocated, and it involves something that is done or given in return. It is like a give-and-take situation.
Reciprocal pronouns are each other and one another.
They are actually phrases and not words, unlike other pronouns.
There are only two reciprocal pronouns, and they are generally used to avoid the repetition of multiple people performing the same activity. They make the sentences simple and shorter without causing any redundancy and confusion.
Let us look at some examples with reciprocal pronouns;
- They both trust each other a lot.
- They are sharing each other’s notes.
- All the students will help one another in this project.
- Please, share the food with each other.
Usage of reciprocal pronouns
As there are only two reciprocal pronouns, it is easy and simple to understand its usage.
The first and foremost point that we need to keep in mind is the difference between each other and one another. Each other is usually used when there are only two people engaged in the same activity. It refers to both the person. But one another is usually used when there are more than two people involved. It is used to indicate a larger group of people engaging in the same type of activity.
For example;
- You both can share each other’s work.
- Riya and Soma are both good athletes. They always help each other out in practice.
- All the teachers congratulated one another at the seminar.
- I saw multiple people fighting one another for a silly reason.
The second point that we need to realize is that reciprocal pronouns are plural in nature. They always represent two or more people. That means they are not applicable with he, she, I, etc. It will always refer to multiple people who share the same activity and feelings and not an individual person.
For example;
- Pinky and Riya are best friends. They trust each other a lot.
- I know they were trying to fight one another for no reason.
These are the basic points that describe the core of reciprocal pronouns. Reciprocal pronouns can be really easy when one gets a hold of these rules.
