Each other is the correct standard spelling, while eachother is incorrect. Use each other as two words when two or more people, animals, or things have a mutual relationship or action. The possessive form is each other’s. Although the phrase sounds like one unit in speech, it stays separate in writing.
Quick Answer:
Each other ✅ = correct
Eachother ❌ = incorrect
They help each other.
Each Other vs. Eachother
| Form | Status | Example |
| Each other | Standard | They trust each other. |
| Eachother | Incorrect | ❌ They trust eachother. |
What Does “Each Other” Mean?
Each other shows that an action, feeling, or relationship goes both ways:
The friends support each other.
It can describe people, animals, groups, or things:
The two machines affect each other.
Each Other vs. One Another
Each other and one another both express a reciprocal relationship:
The sisters helped each other.
The sisters helped one another.
Some traditional grammar rules suggested using each other for two people and one another for more than two. In modern English, they are commonly interchangeable.
Each Other’s: The Possessive Form
Use each other’s when something belongs to the people or things involved:
The students checked each other’s work.
The apostrophe shows possession. Avoid forms such as each others or eachothers.
When to Use Each Other
Use each other for a mutual action:
The teams respected each other.
Use each other’s when you are showing possession:
They borrowed each other’s books.
The standard spelling is always each other, with a space.
Common Mistakes
Writing “eachother”
❌ They always help eachother.
✅ They always help each other.
Forgetting the apostrophe
❌ They read each others messages.
✅ They read each other’s messages.
Thinking “one another” is wrong
It isn’t. One another is also a standard reciprocal expression.
Pronunciation
Each other is usually pronounced /iːtʃ ˈʌðər/. In normal speech, the words flow together, but they remain separate in writing.
6 Examples
- The two brothers always support each other.
- The dogs were chasing each other around the yard.
- We should listen to each other carefully.
- The players congratulated each other after the match.
- The students compared each other’s answers.
- The two companies compete with each other.
Memory Trick
Each other = two words
Each other’s = possessive
Think: each + other, not eachother.
Mini Quiz
1. Which spelling is correct?
A. Eachother
B. Each other
C. Eache other
D. Eachothers
2. What does “each other” express?
A. A location
B. A reciprocal relationship
C. A time period
D. A future action
3. Which sentence is correct?
A. They help eachother.
B. They help each other.
C. They help eache other.
D. They help eachothers.
4. Which possessive form is correct?
A. Each others’
B. Each other’s
C. Eachothers
5. Which phrase is also used for a reciprocal relationship?
A. One another
B. Every another
C. One other
D. Other one
Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A
FAQs
Is “eachother” one word?
No. The standard form is each other, written as two words.
Is “each other’s” correct?
Yes. Each other’s is the standard possessive form.
Is “each other” the same as “one another”?
They are both reciprocal expressions and are commonly interchangeable.
Why is “eachother” incorrect?
English treats each other as two separate words, so combining them creates a spelling error.
Conclusion
Each other is the standard spelling, while eachother is incorrect. Use each other for mutual actions or relationships and each other’s for possession. One another is also standard. The simple rule is: each other = two words; each other’s = possessive.
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Bryan Garner an experienced English language writer specializing in grammar, usage, word choice, and clear American English. He focuses on making complex language rules simple, accurate, and practical.
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