hvor annar
Each Other (Hvor Annar)
Þeir hjálpa hvor öðrum. (The two of them help each other.) hvor goes with the subject, and annar takes the case the verb needs.
How It Works
Two parts, two jobs. In hvor annar, hvor means each of the two and goes with the subject, so it is usually nominative. annar means the other one. It is the object, so it takes the case the verb or preposition requires:
- Þeir þekkja hvor annan. (accusative after þekkja)
- Þeir hjálpa hvor öðrum. (dative after hjálpa)
- Þeir sakna hvor annars. (genitive after sakna)
Gender. Both words agree with the people involved. Two men take hvor annan, two women take hvor aðra, and a mixed pair takes the neuter, like þau: Jón og Anna elska hvort annað. The forms of annar are in annar.
With a preposition. The preposition goes between the two words: Þær tala oft hvor við aðra. Við hugsum oft hvort til annars. (We often think of each other.)
More than two. For a larger group, use hver the same way: Krakkarnir hjálpa hver öðrum. A mixed group takes hvert annað.
In everyday speech. Many speakers make hvor match annar and put it after the preposition: hjálpa hvorum öðrum, tala við hvorn annan. This is very common, but careful writing and school grammar keep hvor öðrum and hvor við annan.
A shorter way. Some verbs can say each other with the ending -st: Þau hittust (They met). See -st verbs for each other.
Examples (6)
- Þeir hjálpa hvor öðrum með heimavinnuna.
The two of them help each other with their homework.
Word by Word: They help each-of-two other with the-homework.
- Þær þekkja hvor aðra vel.
The two women know each other well.
Word by Word: They know each-of-two other well.
hvor is feminine nominative like þær, and aðra is feminine accusative after þekkja.
- Jón og Anna elska hvort annað.
Jón and Anna love each other.
Word by Word: Jón and Anna love each-of-two other.
A man and a woman together take the neuter: hvort annað.
- Bræðurnir sakna hvor annars.
The two brothers miss each other.
Word by Word: The-brothers miss each-of-two other's.
sakna takes the genitive, so annar becomes annars.
- Þær tala oft hvor við aðra.
They often talk to each other.
Word by Word: They talk often each-of-two with other.
The preposition við comes between hvor and aðra.
- Krakkarnir hjálpa hver öðrum.
The kids help each other.
Word by Word: The-kids help each other.
With more than two, hver replaces hvor.
Common Mistakes
Putting annar in the nominative.
Þeir hjálpa hvor annar.Þeir hjálpa hvor öðrum.annar is the object, so it takes the case the verb needs. hjálpa takes the dative: öðrum.
Using the masculine for a man and a woman.
Jón og Anna elska hvor annan.Jón og Anna elska hvort annað.A mixed pair takes the neuter, the same as þau: hvort annað.
Making annar plural for two people.
Þær þekkja hvor aðrar.Þær þekkja hvor aðra.Each of the two women knows the other one, so annar is singular: aðra.
How It Connects
Learn This First
hvor annar builds on hvor, annar and reciprocal -st.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice hvor annar in Bubblegum
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