Do you ever find yourself confused about whether to use “eachother” or “each”? It’s a common mistake, but fear not, we’re here to clear things up for you.
First things first, “each” is a pronoun that refers to every one of two or more people or things considered separately. For example, “Each student must bring their own pencil to the exam.”
On the other hand, “eachother” is not actually a word in the English language. The correct term is “each other,” which is a pronoun that refers to two or more people or things performing an action reciprocally. For example, “The two friends hugged each other.”
It’s important to note that “each” and “each other” are not interchangeable. “Each” refers to individual items, while “each other” refers to the relationship between those items.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the proper usage of “each” and “each other” and provide examples to help you better understand when to use each term.
Define Eachother
Eachother is a compound pronoun that refers to two or more individuals who are reciprocally involved in an action or relationship. It is commonly used to indicate a mutual exchange or interaction between two people or groups. For example, “The two friends helped eachother with their homework” implies that they both assisted each other in completing their assignments.
Define Each
Each is a pronoun that refers to every individual or item in a group, typically used to indicate distribution or allocation. It is often used in conjunction with a plural noun to indicate that something is distributed equally among the group members. For example, “Each student received a textbook” implies that every student received one textbook.
In some cases, each can also be used as an adjective to modify a singular noun, indicating that the noun is being considered individually or separately. For instance, “He took each book off the shelf one by one” implies that he removed each book individually, rather than taking them all at once.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. Misusing words can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. In this article, we will discuss how to properly use the words “eachother” and “each” in a sentence.
How To Use “Eachother” In A Sentence
“Eachother” is a compound word formed by combining “each” and “other.” It is used to refer to two or more people or things that are reciprocally involved with one another. Here are some examples:
- John and Jane love eachother.
- The two countries agreed to help eachother in times of need.
- My friends and I always support eachother.
It is important to note that “eachother” is always written as one word. The correct spelling is not “each other” or “each-other.”
How To Use “Each” In A Sentence
“Each” is used to refer to every member of a group individually. It is often used with singular nouns and is followed by a singular verb. Here are some examples:
- Each student must complete the assignment.
- Each car in the parking lot has a parking permit.
- Each member of the team has a specific role to play.
“Each” can also be used with plural nouns to indicate that every member of a group is being considered individually. In this case, it is followed by a plural verb. Here are some examples:
- Each of the students has a different background.
- Each of the cars in the parking lot has a flat tire.
- Each of the team members are responsible for their own equipment.
It is important to note that “each” is always followed by a noun or pronoun. It cannot be used alone as a pronoun.
More Examples Of Eachother & Each Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide more examples of using eachother and each in sentences to help you better understand the difference between the two.
Examples Of Using Eachother In A Sentence
- John and Jane love eachother very much.
- They always help eachother out when they need it.
- The two cats would often groom eachother.
- My parents have been married for 30 years and still love eachother.
- They were so in sync, they could finish eachother’s sentences.
- My friends and I always have a great time when we’re together, we really enjoy eachother’s company.
- After the argument, they apologized to eachother and made up.
- They were lost in eachother’s eyes.
- When they hugged, they held onto eachother tightly.
- The two brothers always looked out for eachother.
Examples Of Using Each In A Sentence
- Each student was given a textbook at the beginning of the semester.
- She gave each child a piece of candy.
- Each person has their own unique talents and abilities.
- The flowers in the garden were each a different color.
- Each employee is responsible for keeping their workspace clean.
- He counted each sheep as it jumped over the fence.
- Each chapter in the book covers a different topic.
- They were each given a task to complete.
- The cupcakes were each decorated with a different frosting design.
- Each time he tried, he got better and better.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “each” and “each other,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in the same way.
Using “Eachother” Instead Of “Each Other”
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “eachother” as one word instead of “each other” as two separate words. While it may seem like a minor error, it can lead to confusion and make your writing appear unprofessional.
For example, consider the following sentence:
“They gave eachother high-fives.”
This sentence should actually be written as:
“They gave each other high-fives.”
By using the correct form, you are conveying the idea that each person gave a high-five to the other person, rather than giving high-fives to some unknown entity called “eachother.”
Using “Each” Instead Of “Each Other”
Another common mistake is using “each” when you really mean “each other.” While “each” refers to individual items or people, “each other” refers to a reciprocal relationship between two or more items or people.
Here’s an example:
“The two friends hugged each.”
This sentence should be written as:
“The two friends hugged each other.”
By using “each other,” you are indicating that the hug was reciprocal, with both friends hugging each other, rather than one friend hugging the other.
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to take the time to proofread your writing carefully. Look for instances where you’ve used “eachother” instead of “each other,” or where you’ve used “each” instead of “each other.”
You can also use online grammar and spell check tools to help you catch these errors. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read through your writing out loud to ensure that it flows smoothly and makes sense.
By taking these steps, you can avoid making these common mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional.
Context Matters
Choosing between eachother and each can depend on the context in which they are used. While both words can be used to refer to two or more people or things, they have different connotations and are used in different contexts.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts in which the choice between eachother and each might change:
1. Reciprocity
When referring to reciprocal actions or relationships, eachother is the appropriate choice. For example:
- They gave eachother a high-five after scoring a goal.
- The couple promised to love and cherish eachother for the rest of their lives.
2. Individuality
When referring to individual actions or characteristics, each is the appropriate choice. For example:
- Each student must complete the assignment on their own.
- The flowers in the garden each had their own unique color and scent.
3. Grouping
When referring to a group of people or things as a whole, each is the appropriate choice. For example:
- Each member of the team contributed to the project.
- The cupcakes were decorated with a different topping on each.
It’s important to consider the context in which these words are used to ensure that the correct choice is made. Using eachother when each is appropriate, or vice versa, can lead to confusion or a lack of clarity in communication.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the usage of “eachother” and “each” is generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to the rules. Here are some instances where the standard usage may not apply:
1. Collective Nouns
When using a collective noun to refer to a group of individuals, “each” is typically used instead of “eachother”. This is because collective nouns refer to a single entity, and using “eachother” would imply that the members of the group are acting on each other individually.
For example:
- The team worked hard to achieve their goals, each member contributing their unique skills.
- The jury deliberated for hours, each member carefully considering the evidence presented.
2. Singular Nouns
Similar to collective nouns, when referring to a single entity, “each” is typically used instead of “eachother”.
For example:
- Each student in the class received a participation award.
- The flowers in the garden were carefully tended to, each one receiving the proper amount of sunlight and water.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions where “each” or “each other” is used in a way that does not follow the standard rules. These expressions have become common usage and should be treated as exceptions.
For example:
- The couple looked into each other’s eyes.
- They each went their separate ways.
It is important to note that while these exceptions exist, they are not the norm. In most cases, the rules for using “eachother” and “each” should be followed to ensure clear and effective communication.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of eachother vs each is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you develop your skills:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either eachother or each:
- John and Tom gave __________ a high five.
- They congratulated __________ on their success.
- Susan and Jane hugged __________.
- __________ of the students received an A on the test.
- They looked at __________ with admiration.
Answer Key:
- eachother
- each
- eachother
- Each
- eachother
Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- __________ of the boys were playing video games.
- a) each
- b) eachother
- a) each
- b) eachother
- a) each
- b) eachother
- a) each
- b) eachother
- a) each
- b) eachother
Answer Key:
- a
- b
- a
- b
- a
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “each other” and “each,” it is clear that these two phrases are not interchangeable. “Each other” is used to refer to a reciprocal action or relationship between two or more people or things, while “each” is used to refer to individual items or people in a group. It is important to understand the nuances of these phrases in order to effectively communicate in written and spoken language.
Additionally, this article highlights the importance of proper grammar and language use. By paying attention to the details of language, we can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion or misinterpretation. Learning about grammar and language use is an ongoing process, and readers are encouraged to continue their education in these areas.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.