Reciprocal Verbs Example
Spanish Classes / / July 04, 2021
The reciprocal verbs They are transitive verbs and are used in sentences in which an action is expressed that is executed and mutually received by the subjects of the sentence.
Sentences with reciprocal verbs have two or more subjects, so verbs are always used in the plural, that is, there are no singular forms.
To form the reciprocal form, the verb requires an auxiliary, which can be us, in the case of the first person plural, and I know in the second and third person:
Norma and I we greet each other After so much time.
You and john they hit like animals.
Elena and Gabriela they were counted some secrets.
These same auxiliaries are used to form the reflective forms, that is, when it expresses the action that the subjects perform, and the action falls on them, but it is not something they do reciprocally:
Alberto and me we saw each other in the images of the news.
you guys were found my keys.
They they were outraged for your comment.
To distinguish if a form is reflexive or reciprocal, in many cases it is enough to observe the context of the sentence:
Pedro and Me we greet each other con la vecina (reflexive form)
Pedro and Me we greet each other in the office (reciprocal form)
You and guillermina They embraced with his cousins. (Reflective way)
You and guillermina They embraced at the party. (Reciprocal form)
My parents they got mad with me because I failed (Reflective way)
My parents they got mad for a nonsense (Reciprocal form)
In many cases the context is not enough, so it is convenient to use an expression that reinforces the idea that the action between the subjects is reciprocal. Some of these expressions can be: mutually, to each other, to each other, to each other:
The Lions they got hurt mutually.
They went and they distributed the sweets to each other.
At the meeting we will introduce ourselves mutually.
These expressions can be used in place of the auxiliaries I know or us, to express the reciprocity of the action:
Dogs they fought among themselves by the bone.
The neighbors they argued with each other the gossip of the day.
Sheep they beat each other their heads.
Examples of reciprocal verbs
- Juliet and Romeo loved each other.
- The Moors and Christians fought viciously.
- The cats scratched each other.
- Marco and Luis hit each other.
- The two roosters fought to the death.
- Marta and Ramiro celebrated their birthdays.
- The twins looked at each other.
- The candidates insulted each other.
- The boxers were guessing the moves.
- The actors answered each other in sync.
- Your cousins got beaten up.
- In the film the good and the bad were pushed off the cliff.
- The students passed the answers to the exam.
- The presidents exchanged greetings.
- At Christmas, my cousins gave each other matching sweaters.
- Monkeys look at their fur looking for bugs.
- The buildings collided with each other during the quake.
- The waves were beating furiously.
- Young people were sending messages with their location.
- The cats were throwing the ball to each other.
- In the store, the customers snatched the items.
- The dogs bit their paws and ears.
- Squirrels are chasing each other across the yard.
- The children were throwing balloons with water.
- The twisted irons struck each other, producing an annoying screech.
- The curanderas mutually exchanged advice and recipes for their remedies.
- Friends remembered the mischief they did at school.
- Neighbors mutually fix their household goods and faults.
- Club members exchange books on the subject.
- My family members send each other greeting cards every year.