An editing question....

[michchick98]

Okay, I'm editing a story for someone and she questioned my use of other's vs. others'

She had it as so:

Mirka and her boss have something going on. They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and out of each other's league.

I changed it to this:

Mirka and her boss have something going on. They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and out of each others' league.

Which is correct? I can't seem to find anything in my own personal resources. If possible, I need an answer quickly. Thanks in advance!

 

[bronzeage]

It's an awkward construction in either case, but I think [others'] is correct. There are two of them, so [others] is the plural.

To say someone is "out of your league," means they are in a higher class. Two people can't be in mutually superior leagues.

They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and not playing in the same league.

They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and playing in different leagues."

The third choice is put one of them in a higher league.

 

[michchick98]

It's an awkward construction in either case, but I think [others'] is correct. There are two of them, so [others] is the plural.

To say someone is "out of your league," means they are in a higher class. Two people can't be in mutually superior leagues.

They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and not playing in the same league.

They are both attracted to each other but they are opposites and playing in different leagues."

The third choice is put one of them in a higher league.

Thanks! I'll suggest the alternatives.

 

[sr71plt]

"each" is singular and flips the next word, which it is modifying to the singular, into the singular too. So, sorry, in this construction, it's "other's."

 

[michchick98]

"each" is singular and flips the next word, which it is modifying to the singular, into the singular too. So, sorry, in this construction, it's "other's."

After I made the change, I questioned it myself. When the author questioned me, I thought it through some more. I told her she was right and I was wrong.

Thanks.

 

[kcwordsmith]

grammar

sir 71 is correct. It should read other's. I also agree w/previous poster is it best to rephrase an awkward construction.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Put the flags out. Call up the town band. It appears that I actually agree with sr71plt as quoted by michchick98.

However many there are in the group "each other's" is always right. I would also drop the "both" as just "They are attracted to each other but they are opposites" says exactly the same thing.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Put the flags out. Call up the town band. It appears that I actually agree with sr71plt as quoted by michchick98.

However many there are in the group "each other's" is always right. I would also drop the "both" as just "They are attracted to each other but they are opposites" says exactly the same thing.

Well yes, but a thought just struck.

If you say, 'both of the others said that the others' responsibility lay . . .'

. . have I got the picture. Surely it's not just plural.

 

[CopperSkink]

I'm voting no. "Both" only pluralizes "Said". "Other" remains single because whether it's "both said the other" or only "one said the other," either one of them is only refering to one person at a time.