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I thought this might have already been asked, but apparently not. Is using the phrase "one another" considered equivalent to the phrase "one and other"? Is one of the two considered right and the other wrong? To give an example:

  • The two computers were situated relatively close to one and other.
  • The two computers were situated relatively close to one another.
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"One and Other" as a phrase I only know from Antony Gormley's art project: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_%26_Other – malach Oct 28 '10 at 6:13
I think your example is not a good one. Because, I would rather "...close to each other." – Pierre Oct 28 '10 at 7:33
@Pierre W: depends on what is normal for you. For me, this is a perfectly good example. – Steve Melnikoff Oct 28 '10 at 13:56

1 Answer

up vote 10 down vote accepted

The first, "one and other" sounds quite wrong to me. If it's a construction that's in use, it's one I've never seen.

The second, "one another", is standard.

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I am quite certain that if it is said, it is someone wrongly parsing "one another", much like when someone says "mute point" (instead of "moot point") or "I'd just assume stay home as go out" (instead of "just as soon"). – Kosmonaut Oct 28 '10 at 13:37
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Yes. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggcorn – Colin Fine Oct 28 '10 at 14:15

protected by RegDwighт♦ Oct 19 '12 at 21:31

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