Each others or each other’s can be confusing because both forms sound almost identical when spoken. The key difference is the apostrophe, which shows possession
. In standard English, each other’s is used when one person or thing has a relationship, connection, or effect involving another, while each other without an apostrophe is used as a reciprocal pronoun.
For example, we say, “They helped each other,” but “They borrowed each other’s books.” The first describes a reciprocal action; the second shows possession.
This guide explains the difference between each other, each other’s, and the less common plural possessive form each others’, with clear rules and practical examples.
Quick Answer
Each other’s is correct when you need the possessive form of each other.
- They helped each other. → reciprocal action
- They helped each other’s children. → possession
Each others without an apostrophe is generally incorrect when you mean possession. The apostrophe in each other’s tells the reader that something belongs to, is associated with, or relates to the other person or people.
Easy rule: Use each other for an action and each other’s before a noun to show possession.
Which One Should You Use?
Use each other when two or more people perform an action mutually.
The two friends trusted each other.
Use each other’s when you are talking about something belonging to or associated with each person in a reciprocal relationship.
The two friends knew each other’s secrets.
The expression each others without an apostrophe is normally not the form you want in standard English. If you are trying to express possession, write each other’s or, in a particular plural possessive construction, each others’.
Memorable takeaway: If something belongs to each person in the relationship, add the apostrophe: each other’s.
Difference Table
| Form | Meaning | Usage | Grammar | Context | Everyday Use |
| each other | One another mutually | Reciprocal action or relationship | Reciprocal pronoun | People or groups interacting | Very common |
| each other’s | Belonging to one another | Shows possession or association | Possessive form | Something connected with each person | Very common |
| each others | Usually not standard for possession | Generally avoid it | Missing possessive apostrophe | Usually a spelling/grammar mistake | Uncommon |
| each others’ | Possessive form in certain plural constructions | Used when possession is plural | Plural possessive | Less common and context-dependent | Rare |
Meaning of Word 1: Each Other
Each other is a reciprocal pronoun. It describes an action, feeling, or relationship that goes in both directions between two or more people or things.
Consider:
Sarah and Emma helped each other.
Sarah helped Emma, and Emma helped Sarah. The phrase each other expresses this mutual relationship.
Common uses of each other
You can use each other after many verbs:
- They respect each other.
- The children played with each other.
- We support each other.
- The two teams watched each other carefully.
- The neighbors often visit each other.
It can also follow a preposition:
They were talking to each other.
The two companies compete with each other.
In these examples, each other is not showing possession. Therefore, there is no apostrophe.
Meaning of Word 2: Each Other’s
Each other’s is the possessive form of each other. It is used when something belongs to, is connected with, or is associated with the other person or people in the reciprocal relationship.
For example:
The sisters borrowed each other’s clothes.
This means one sister borrowed the other’s clothes, and the other sister also borrowed the first sister’s clothes.
More examples include:
They know each other’s names.
The students checked each other’s answers.
The two friends visited each other’s homes.
The players understood each other’s strategies.
Notice that each other’s is normally followed by a noun such as clothes, names, answers, homes, or strategies.
The apostrophe is essential because it marks the possessive relationship.
Why Do People Confuse These Words?
The confusion usually comes from the fact that each other and each other’s sound almost the same in speech. When people hear the phrase, they cannot see whether an apostrophe is needed.
Another source of confusion is the word each. Because each refers to individual members of a group, learners sometimes assume that each others should be plural.
However, each other is already an established reciprocal expression. You do not normally make it plural simply because more than two people are involved.
Compare:
The students helped each other.
The students read each other’s essays.
The first sentence describes mutual help. The second describes possession or association.
Grammar Rule
The basic rule is simple:
| What you mean | Correct form | Example |
| Mutual action | each other | They helped each other. |
| Possession/association | each other’s | They read each other’s letters. |
| Plural possessive construction | each others’ | Rare and context-dependent |
For most everyday writing, you will mainly need each other and each other’s.
Each other vs. each other’s
Use each other when it stands as the reciprocal object of a verb or follows a preposition:
The children smiled at each other.
Use each other’s when it modifies a noun:
The children knew each other’s parents.
A useful test is to look at the word immediately after the expression. If you are describing something that belongs to or is associated with the other person, each other’s is usually appropriate.
Is “each others’” correct?
It can occur in unusual grammatical contexts, particularly when the possessive idea itself is plural, but it is far less common than each other’s. Most learners should not use each others’ unless the sentence clearly requires it.
For ordinary reciprocal possession, each other’s is the natural choice:
The two brothers borrowed each other’s bikes.
Real Life Examples
People
The two sisters always support each other.
The sisters know each other’s friends.
The coworkers respect each other.
The coworkers understand each other’s responsibilities.
Nature
Reciprocal expressions can also describe relationships involving animals or other subjects:
The birds followed each other across the sky.
The animals responded to each other’s movements.
Technology
The two devices communicate with each other.
The devices exchange each other’s data.
The second sentence is grammatically possible but may sound less natural depending on the intended meaning. Often, a writer would specify exactly whose data is being exchanged.
Business
The two companies compete with each other.
The companies studied each other’s products.
Everyday English
We should listen to each other.
We should respect each other’s opinions.
The children shared their toys with each other.
The children accidentally took each other’s toys.
These examples show how a small apostrophe can change the grammatical function of the phrase.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “each others” for possession
❌ The students checked each others answers.
✅ The students checked each other’s answers.
The apostrophe is needed because the answers are associated with the other students.
Mistake 2: Adding an apostrophe when there is no possession
❌ They helped each other’s.
✅ They helped each other.
There is no noun showing possession after the phrase, and the sentence describes mutual help.
Mistake 3: Treating “each other” as a normal plural noun
❌ The friends talked about each others.
✅ The friends talked about each other.
The standard reciprocal expression is each other, not each others.
Mistake 4: Confusing “each other” with “one another”
In modern English, each other and one another are often interchangeable:
The players encouraged each other.
The players encouraged one another.
The traditional idea that each other must be used for exactly two people and one another for more than two is not a strict rule in modern English.
Easy Memory Trick
Use this simple trick:
No ownership = no apostrophe.
Ownership or association = apostrophe.
Think of the apostrophe in each other’s as a tiny sign saying “belongs to”.
- They trust each other. → action
- They know each other’s plans. → possession/association
If a noun follows and you mean something connected to the other person, the apostrophe is often the clue you need.
Mini Quiz
1. Which sentence is correct?
A. They helped each others.
B. They helped each other’s.
C. They helped each other.
D. They helped each others’.
Answer: C. “Each other” is used for the mutual action.
2. Choose the correct form:
The students read ______ essays.
A. each other
B. each other’s
C. each others
D. each others’s
Answer: B. The essays are associated with each student, so the possessive each other’s is appropriate.
3. Which sentence is correct?
A. The two friends respect each other.
B. The two friends respect each other’s.
C. The two friends respect each others.
D. The two friends respect each others’.
Answer: A. The sentence describes a reciprocal action, not possession.
4. Choose the correct sentence:
A. They know each others names.
B. They know each other’s names.
C. They know each other names.
D. They know each others’ name.
Answer: B. Each other’s correctly shows the possessive relationship with names.
Summary Table
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| Mutual action | each other | They help each other. |
| Mutual feeling | each other | They trust each other. |
| After a preposition | each other | They talked to each other. |
| Possession | each other’s | They know each other’s names. |
| Shared/associated information | each other’s | They read each other’s messages. |
| “Each others” as ordinary possession | Avoid | Use each other’s instead. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is “each others” grammatically correct?
Usually, no. Each others is generally incorrect when you mean the possessive form. Use each other’s for ordinary reciprocal possession.
Is it “each other” or “each other’s”?
Both are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Use each other for mutual actions and each other’s when showing possession or association.
Is “each other’s” singular or plural?
The expression refers to a reciprocal relationship and can be used with two or more people. Each other’s is the possessive form used with a noun.
Can I say “each other’s”?
Yes. It is completely standard English.
The brothers respect each other’s opinions.
Should I use “each others’”?
Each others’ is possible in specific grammatical situations, but it is uncommon and usually unnecessary in everyday English. Most learners will normally need each other’s.
What is the difference between “each other” and “one another”?
Both express reciprocal relationships, and modern English commonly uses them in the same way. The supposed rule that one is strictly for two people and the other strictly for more than two is not a reliable modern usage rule.
Is “each other’s” always followed by a noun?
It commonly appears before a noun:
They know each other’s families.
In some contexts, the noun can be understood from context, but learners will most often encounter each other’s + noun.
Which is correct: “They love each other” or “They love each other’s”?
They love each other is correct when you mean they love one another. They love each other’s is incomplete unless a noun or another possessive construction follows, such as “They love each other’s cooking.”
Conclusion
The difference between each other and each other’s is mainly about grammar and possession. Each other is used for reciprocal actions, feelings, and relationships, while each other’s shows that something belongs to or is associated with the other person or people.
For example, “They helped each other” describes mutual help, while “They checked each other’s work” describes work associated with each person.
The form each others is generally not correct when you are trying to show possession.
Remember: Use “each other” for mutual action; use “each other’s” when possession or association is involved.
I’m Nathaniel Brooks, a writer interested in education, academic success, and lifelong learning. I enjoy researching and writing about effective study methods, student productivity, learning strategies, and ways to stay motivated during challenging academic periods. I believe students do not need complicated systems to improve; they need clear guidance, consistency, and strategies that match their goals. I write to help learners develop habits that can support them both inside and outside the classroom.
Books:
- Mastering Your Study Routine
- The Focused Learner