Reciprocal Pronouns

A pronoun can be used instead of a noun. Pronouns make a sentence clear, smooth and less repetitive. Repetitive use of the same noun in a sentence or paragraph seems untidy. With the help of pronouns, the ideas can be expressed with clarity. Reciprocal pronoun is a pronoun that indicates a mutual relationship between the subjects. It is often confused with a reflexive pronoun but is different. In the case of reflexive pronouns, the subject of a sentence acts upon itself instead of showing a reciprocal connection. 

Definition of Reciprocal Pronoun

The definition of reciprocal pronoun states that when two or more subjects are bound together in a mutual association, the pronoun used to denote the relationship between both of them is reciprocal pronoun. The study of anaphors explains that the relationship shared between referents and the reciprocals fall under anaphors. The category of anaphors includes both reciprocal and reflexive pronouns leading to confusion between the two. The difference between the two can be illustrated with suitable examples.

Types of Reciprocal Pronouns

There are two types of reciprocal category pronouns :

1. Each other
2. One another

Let us quickly understand the categories as mentioned above with reciprocal pronoun examples. 

“Ramesh and Raju were talking to each other.” 

Ramesh talks to Raju in the above sentence, and Raji talks to Ramesh. Therefore both subjects are forming a reciprocal relationship. Raju and Ramesh are in a mutual relationship, and the action of talking can not be separated from each other. 

“All the players in the team blamed each other for the loss.”

Here the players of the team are blaming each other for the loss. The reciprocity of the action of blaming the team members gives rise to a mutual bond.

It is often generalized that each other is used chiefly in the case of two subjects. And one another is used when more than two or three subjects are present. However, there is no such objective justification to prove the same.

Reciprocal Pronoun Examples

• Ram and Riya like each other.

• They cannot go out with each other.

• Shriya and Shreya hated each other.

• They stayed with each other.

• They went shopping with each other.

• The prisoners were blaming one another for being caught.

• They had immense trust in one another.

• The team members congratulated one another.

• They came in a group to protect one another.

• They built the house with the help of one another.

The reciprocal pronouns must be used when two or more groups or parties are involved in an action. The second point to remember is that they must be doing the same thing. In the examples mentioned above, “They “were going to shop; therefore, shopping is the uniform action performed by them. And when the team is congratulating each other, they perform the same action, acting upon one another.

Difference Between Reciprocal and Reflexive Pronoun

Both the categories of pronouns come under anaphors and are confusing. The types of reflexive pronouns are themselves, himself, herself, etc. 

“Riya and Kajal looked at themselves. “

In the case of reflexive pronouns, the subject acts upon itself. Elaborating it further, Riya is looking at herself, and Kajal is looking at herself respectively and is not performing the same action. 

“Riya and Kajal looked at each other.”

Let us understand the example. Riya and Kajal form a mutual relationship as they look at each other. Here, a reciprocal action is performed where the subjects act upon one another instead of themselves. 

Reflexive pronouns play the role of direct objects. In this scenario, the subject does action and also receives the action :

“Ram worked by himself.”

“She cooked dinner by herself.”

Conclusion

The concept of the reciprocal form of the pronoun in context to anaphors, binding theory, generative grammar allows the formation of sentences with more clarity and ease. These pronouns are used mainly when the same type of action is carried out by two or more parties and simultaneously both receive the benefits or consequences. Any time something is performed or given in return, the reciprocal types of pronouns are used.