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#2 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 16:33 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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| (I think "one another" is used when we refer to 3 or more people) |
I agree. For more than two people. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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#3 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 17:23 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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Thanks Molly. I think you agree with my idea that "one another" refers to 3 or more people, but perhaps you don't agree with me about the choice of "each other" here (because "everybody" surely refers to more than two people), right?
Now let's give this a look: - we should help each other (two people) - we should help one another (more than two people)
Is that right? _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#4 (permalink) Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:10 am "one another" vs "each other" |
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Hi, I need a confirmation, please. _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#5 (permalink) Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:58 am "one another" vs "each other" |
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??? :O:O:O ??? _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#6 (permalink) Fri Jun 27, 2008 13:15 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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Hi Nessie
Right, the word 'everybody' generally refers to more than two people.
I presume your original sentence comes from an exercise book, and I presume that the author expects you to use 'one another'. That would be the "prescriptive" answer.
If a native speaker began a sentence with "Everybody should help...", I'd say they'd be just as likely to end the sentence with 'each other' as with 'one another' (if not more likely).
I much prefer your sentences using 'we' (instead of 'everybody'):
| Quote: |
Now let's give this a look: - we should help each other (two people) - we should help one another (more than two people)
Is that right? |
Prescriptively speaking, yes. In reality, this "rule" is frequently ignored, and many experts agree that this "rule" is far from absolute. . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#7 (permalink) Fri Jun 27, 2008 15:15 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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Everybody should help... hmm...
Usually it's "Everybody should help each other" while it's "Everyone should help one another."
I'm not sure why this is the case.
Comments? Thoughts?
Cheers. |
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K8t New Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Canada
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#8 (permalink) Fri Jun 27, 2008 15:37 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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Now let's give this a look:
- we should help each other (two people) - Could also be more two groups of people. - we should help one another (more than two people) - Could also be more than two groups of people. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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#9 (permalink) Fri Jun 27, 2008 16:43 pm "one another" vs "each other" |
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Hi Nessie
Have a look at this:
each other vs one another . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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| How informal is 'Long time no see'? | Phrase "sorry for the short notice..." |