互相代名詞,多用作動詞或介系詞的受詞,表示雙方或多方之間的互動關係;不可作主詞。主詞需為複數或複合主詞(如 “Tom and I”)。常見搭配:help, love, understand, look at, talk to, write to, with, to 等。注意避免冗贅的 between each other;通常用 with each other 或 between them 更自然。
範例:
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We helped each other study for the English exam.
我們互相幫忙準備英文考試。
其他形式:
each other’s
表示所有格,結構為 each other’s + 名詞。務必使用 other 的單數所有格 ’s(each other’s),不要誤寫為 each others 或 each others’。後方名詞是否複數依語意決定。
範例:
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We keep each other’s secrets.
我們互相保守彼此的祕密。
one another
與 each other 幾乎同義;傳統上多於兩人時用 one another,但現代英語大多可互換,語氣略正式。其所有格為 one another’s + 名詞。
範例:
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The three teammates encouraged one another during the game.
三位隊友在比賽時互相鼓勵。
常見錯誤
✗
He loves each other.
✓
He loves himself. / He and I love each other.
each other 需要複數或複合主詞(兩人以上)才可使用;單一主詞應使用反身代名詞(himself/herself/myself)。
✗
They borrowed each others’ books.
✓
They borrowed each other’s books.
所有格應為 each other’s(在 other 後加 ’s),不可加複數 s 或把撇號放在 s 後面(each others’)。
✗
We help with each other.
✓
We help each other.
help 通常為及物動詞,後面直接接受詞即可;不需加介系詞 with。
✗
They shared notes between each other.
✓
They shared notes with each other. / They shared notes between them.
between each other 容易顯得冗贅或不自然;改用 with each other 或 between them 更地道。
同義詞與反義詞
同義
one another
(彼此;互相)
幾乎可與 each other 互換;傳統上多於兩人時較常用,語氣略正式。
同義
mutually
(互相地;彼此地)
副詞,多用於正式語境(如 mutually beneficial);不能直接充當受詞,語法功能與 each other 不同。