Each Others or Each Other’s: What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use in 2026?

Have you ever written a sentence like “They borrowed each others books” and paused for a moment, wondering whether it should be each others or each other’s? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common grammar questions in English because the difference involves possession, apostrophes, and the unique way reciprocal pronouns work.

Many English learners, students, bloggers, and even native speakers struggle with this pair because the words look nearly identical. A single apostrophe changes the grammatical function of the phrase, making one form standard English and the other generally incorrect in modern writing.

In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between each others and each other’s, their meanings, pronunciation, grammar rules, dictionary treatment, real-life examples, common mistakes, and expert recommendations. By the end, you’ll know exactly which form to use in every situation.

Quick Answer

Each other’s is the correct standard possessive form in English when you want to show that two or more people possess something belonging to one another.

Each others (without an apostrophe) is generally considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect in modern English because the possessive apostrophe is required.

Correct: They borrowed each other’s books.
Incorrect: They borrowed each others books.

Quick Comparison Table

How Are These Words Pronounced?

Since each others and each other’s are pronounced the same way, pronunciation does not help distinguish them.

IPA Pronunciation

Each other’s

/iːtʃ ˈʌðərz/

Syllable Breakdown

Each → 1 syllable
Oth-ers → 2 syllables

Total: 3 syllables

Pronunciation Differences

There are no pronunciation differences between each others and each other’s. The distinction exists only in writing and grammar.

Meaning and Usage

Meaning of Each Others

Each others is generally considered an incorrect spelling of the possessive phrase each other’s.

Writers often omit the apostrophe accidentally because they do not realize that possession must be shown.

Examples (Incorrect)

❌ They borrowed each others jackets.

❌ The friends respected each others opinions.

❌ The couples held each others hands.

Meaning of Each Other’s

Each other’s is the possessive form of the reciprocal pronoun each other.

It indicates that something belongs to, affects, or relates to two or more people mutually.

Examples (Correct)

✅ They borrowed each other’s jackets.

✅ The friends respected each other’s opinions.

✅ The couples held each other’s hands.

Main Difference Between Each Others and Each Other’s

The key difference is that each other’s correctly shows possession, while each others omits the necessary apostrophe.

Grammar Rule Section

What Is “Each Other”?

Each other is a reciprocal pronoun.

It expresses a mutual relationship between people or things.

Examples:

• They help each other.
• The teams respect each other.
• The siblings support each other.

How Do You Make It Possessive?

To indicate possession, add an apostrophe and s to the reciprocal pronoun:

each other → each other’s

Examples:

• They read each other’s messages.
• The students reviewed each other’s essays.
• The neighbors visited each other’s homes.

Why “Each Others” Is Incorrect

The phrase each other functions as a unit.

When possession is required, the entire phrase becomes possessive:

each other’s

Not:

each others

English grammar requires the apostrophe because ownership or possession is being expressed.

Origin and Etymology

Historical Origin

The phrase each other developed in Middle English as a reciprocal expression meaning “one another” or “mutually.”

It combines:

• each (every individual member)
• other (the remaining person or thing)

Over time, English grammar established a possessive form:

each other’s

Development of Meaning

Originally, the phrase described mutual actions:

• love each other
• support each other
• trust each other

Later, possessive constructions became common:

• each other’s ideas
• each other’s property
• each other’s families

Language Roots

Dictionary Comparison

Oxford Dictionary

Oxford recognizes each other and each other’s as standard reciprocal pronouns and possessive forms.

Cambridge Dictionary

Cambridge treats each other’s as the correct possessive expression used for mutual ownership or association.

Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster recognizes each other’s as the possessive form of each other.

Collins Dictionary

Collins lists each other’s as the accepted possessive construction in modern English.

Are Both Words Correct?

No.

This keyword falls into Category A: Correct vs Incorrect Spelling/Usage.

Correct Form

✅ Each other’s

Incorrect Form

❌ Each others

The apostrophe is required because the phrase expresses possession.

Examples:

✅ They admired each other’s work.

❌ They admired each others work.

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British vs American English

Unlike words such as colour/color or centre/center, this difference is not regional.

Both British and American English use the same possessive form.

There is no regional variation.

Which Form Is More Common?

Publishing Usage

Books, newspapers, academic journals, and professional publications overwhelmingly use each other’s.

Professional Writing

Editors and proofreaders correct each others to each other’s.

Website Usage

Occurrences of each others are usually grammar mistakes rather than accepted alternatives.

Academic Writing

Universities and style guides require each other’s.

When Should You Use Each Other’s?

Academic Writing

Use each other’s whenever possession is mutual.

Example:

• Students evaluated each other’s research papers.

Professional Writing

Example:

• Team members reviewed each other’s reports.

Casual Writing

Example:

• We know each other’s favorite movies.

Journalism

Example:

• The candidates criticized each other’s policies.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Omitting the Apostrophe

❌ They borrowed each others notes.

✅ They borrowed each other’s notes.

Explanation: Possession requires an apostrophe.

Mistake 2: Confusing It With Plural Nouns

❌ The friends liked each others cars.

✅ The friends liked each other’s cars.

Explanation: The phrase is not a plural noun; it is a possessive reciprocal pronoun.

Mistake 3: Using It Without Possession

❌ They helped each other’s.

✅ They helped each other.

Explanation: Possession is not needed here.

Real-Life Examples

Family Context

• The siblings borrow each other’s clothes.
• The twins finish each other’s sentences.

School Context

• Students checked each other’s homework.
• Classmates shared each other’s ideas.

Workplace Context

• Employees reviewed each other’s projects.
• Managers respected each other’s expertise.

Relationships

• The couple learned each other’s habits.
• They met each other’s families.

Sports

• Teammates encouraged each other’s efforts.
• Players trusted each other’s judgment.

Synonyms

Synonyms Related to Each Other’s

Depending on context:

• One another’s
• Mutual
• Shared
• Reciprocal
• Collective

Examples:

• They respected one another’s opinions.
• They showed mutual respect.

Synonyms Related to Each Other

• One another
• Mutually
• Reciprocally
• Together

Antonyms

Because each other’s expresses mutuality, possible opposites include:

• Individually
• Separately
• Independently
• Alone
• Unilaterally

Examples:

• They acted independently rather than considering each other’s views.

Memory Trick

Here’s a simple trick:

Think About Ownership

If something belongs to two people mutually, you need an apostrophe.

Each other’s = something belongs to the other person.

Example:

• each other’s phones
• each other’s ideas
• each other’s houses

No possession?

Use:

• each other

Example:

• They trust each other.

Easy Formula

Mutual action → each other

Mutual possession → each other’s

Similar Confusing Words

English contains many similar grammar pairs:

• Its vs It’s
• Whose vs Who’s
• Their vs There
• Then vs Than
• Affect vs Effect
• Who vs Whom
• One Another vs Each Other
• Everyone’s vs Everyones
• Peoples vs People’s

These often involve apostrophes and possession rules.

Why Do People Search “Each Others or Each Other’s”?

People usually search this phrase because they:

• Are unsure where the apostrophe belongs.
• Need help with English grammar.
• Want to improve academic writing.
• Are editing professional documents.
• Are preparing for exams.
• Need clarification on possessive pronouns.

Common Search Queries

• Is each others correct?
• Should I write each other’s?
• What is the difference between each others and each other’s?
• Is each other’s grammatically correct?
• How do you use each other’s in a sentence?
• Does each other’s need an apostrophe?
• Is each others acceptable in British English?
• What do style guides recommend?

FAQs

1. Which word is correct?

Each other’s is the correct standard form.

2. Is each others grammatically correct?

No. It is generally considered incorrect.

3. Why does each other’s need an apostrophe?

Because it expresses possession.

4. What does each other’s mean?

It means belonging to or relating mutually to two or more people.

5. Can I use each others in formal writing?

No. Use each other’s instead.

6. Is there a British English version?

Both British and American English use each other’s.

7. Is each other’s singular or plural?

It is a reciprocal possessive pronoun.

8. Can I replace it with one another’s?

Yes, in many contexts.

9. How is each other’s pronounced?

/iːtʃ ˈʌðərz/

10. Do dictionaries recognize each others?

Not as a standard grammatical form.

11. Is each other’s used in academic writing?

Yes, it is widely accepted.

12. What is the opposite of each other’s?

Words like individually or separately express the opposite idea.

Expert Recommendation

English teachers, editors, proofreaders, dictionaries, and major style guides consistently recommend using each other’s whenever possession is intended.

Professional editors view each others as a punctuation error because the possessive apostrophe is required by standard English grammar.

If you’re writing for:

• School
• University
• Business
• Journalism
• Publishing
• SEO content

Always use each other’s.

Final Verdict

The comparison each others or each other’s belongs to Category A: Correct vs Incorrect Usage.

While many people accidentally write each others, the standard and grammatically correct form is each other’s whenever possession is involved.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Each other’s is correct.
• ❌ Each others is non-standard.
• The apostrophe shows possession.
• Both British and American English use each other’s.
• Dictionaries and style guides support each other’s.
• Use each other (without apostrophe) only when no possession exists.

Practical Usage Advice

Ask yourself one question:

Does something belong to another person in the sentence?

If yes, write:

each other’s

If no, write:

each other

Examples:

• They trust each other.
• They borrowed each other’s books.

Following this simple rule will help you avoid one of the most common apostrophe mistakes in English.

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Lisa Thornton

I’m a language enthusiast who believes that mastering grammar opens doors to creativity and precise communication. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of learners polish their writing and speak with confidence. My books, English Essentials for Everyone and The Writer’s Grammar Handbook, are my way of sharing the strategies I use personally to write clearly and effectively. I enjoy connecting with readers and finding new ways to make grammar engaging and memorable.