each other’s face(s) 和 each others’ face(s),哪个对?

❖ 来源:三思英语 ❖ 作者:张童晨 我要纠错 收藏本文 复制链接 0

    Learners of English (native speakers alike) sometimes wonder whether they are supposed to write each other’s or each others’ (or even each others) in phrases like “to hold each other’s hand(s)”. Long story short, the correct spelling is the one used in the previous example, i.e. each other’s. Another example:


    We didn’t see each other’s face(s). (correct)

    We didn’t see each others’ face(s). (wrong)

    This is quite logical. The possessive form in English is formed by adding ’s at the end of a noun, unless it is a plural noun, in which case we write just an apostrophe, e.g. “these teachers’ books” (not “these teachers’s books”). This rules out each others, as the possessive apostrophe must be there.


    In the case of “each other”, “other” is in the singular because it follows “each”—you wouldn’t say “each teachers” instead of “each teacher”, would you… By adding the possessive ’s, we get the correct form each other’s.


    Plural or singular?


    What about the noun that follows “each other’s”—are we supposed to use a singular noun (e.g. “each other’s face”) or a plural noun (e.g. “each other’s faces”)? The answer is: Both forms are common. Since “each other’s” basically means “(mutually) the other person’s”, we wouldn’t say “the other person’s faces” (unless the other person is two-faced), it makes more sense to say “each other’s face”. Nevertheless, the plural form seems to be more common in modern usage, so it can hardly be considered incorrect. In summary:


    We saw each other’s faces. (correct, more common)

    We saw each other’s face. (correct, more logical)

    This article was based on my guide to the most common mistakes in English, which explains many similar topics. Why don’t you check it out?


    So,

    We didn't see each other's face(s). (对)

    We didn't see each others' face(s). (错)

    And,

    We didn't see each other's faces. (对,口语更常见)

    We didn't see each other's face. (对,更合乎逻辑)


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