BETWEEN vs. AMONG: The Difference between BETWEEN & AMONG

Learn the Difference between BETWEEN vs. AMONG in English.

Difference between BETWEEN vs. AMONG

Between and Among are both prepositions.

How to Use “Between”

• Often used for two items

Example:

They’re building a new road between Manchester and Sheffield.

• Although between is often used between 2 things, it is not always. Sometimes between is used with more than 2 things.

Example:

Our house is between the wood, the river and the village.

• When naming distinct, individual items (can be 2, 3, or more)

Examples:

I’m trying to decide between the athletic shoes, boots, and high heels.

There has been a marked increase in trade between France, Germany and Italy.

• Use between to connect times or numbers

Examples:

A child develops rapidly between the ages of 13 and 16.

Most wines contain between 10% and 15% alcohol.

How to Use “Among”

• Often used for three items or more

Example:

That old temple is hidden among trees.

• When the items are part of a group, or are not specifically named (MUST be 3 or more)

Examples:

She began rummaging among the books on her desk.

The secret was spread among the crowd.

Note:

• We often use between and among when we talk about physical location.

Between is used to describe something at specific path or point

Examples:

Bolivia lies between Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

I walk between the trees and the house.

Among is used to describe something that is in the middle of many things (no defined path)

Examples:

She lives in that house among the trees.

Mary is popular among the students.

Common Words and Phrases Used with Between and Among

Difference between

Example:

There is a striking difference between Jane and Mary.

Between you and me

“Between you and me” – never “Between you and I”

(This expression is used when you want the other person to keep some information a secret.)

Example:

Between you and me, I don’t think she has a chance of getting that promotion.

Distribute among

Example:

The reward money was to be distributed among the poor.

Among others/Among other things

In the phrases among others and among other things, among means ‘as well as’

Examples:

They among others, would gather intelligence on enemy strengths and fortifications.

Among other things, the groups hopes to put an Internet connection and a printer in every village.

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