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Reciprocal Verbs by Bruce Sallee and David Hebert

Reciprocal verbs take the same construction as reflexive verbs, but are used when two or more persons are involved. Because of the nature of reciprocal verbs, you encounter them only in the plural; it is not possible to have a singular construction occur because it requires more than one person.

When considering reciprocal verbs, the object of the sentence and how it is used is important. When the object and the subject are different, the verb is reciprocal.

Reciprocal verbs don't always translate into English very easily. There is no direct equivalent translation, and the appropriate choice can vary. For the most part, “each other” will suffice to complete the meaning. Listen to the CD for the pronunciation of the following sentences.

TRACK 63

<tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="60%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="40%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Vous vous parlez</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>You are speaking to each other.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Nous nous regardons</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>We are looking at each other.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Ils se téléphonent tous les jours</emphasis>.</p></td> <td><p>They call each other every day.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/reflexive-verbs-in-the-past.htm" title="Reflexive Verbs in the Past">Reflexive Verbs in the Past</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/french/using-reflexive-verbs/verbs-that-are-always-pronominal.htm" title="Verbs That Are Always Pronominal">Verbs That Are Always 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