In refers to something being inside a particular space, while among refers to being in a group of things without individual distinctions.
Key takeaways:
Use between when referring to two distinct entities. It’s commonly used for comparisons or choices.
Use among when referring to a collective or group of more than two things or people. It’s about something happening within a group.
Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs
In English, prepositions play a crucial role in helping us convey meaning and clarify relationships. Among the most commonly confused prepositions are among and between. Understanding when to use each can improve your communication skills, especially in technical writing. In this Answer, we’ll break down the differences between these two prepositions and their usage and give you practical examples to help solidify your understanding.
The
Use between when referring to two people or objects.
It compares distinct entities, even with more than two, as long as relationships are clear. For example, “I chose between pizza, pasta, and sushi.”
The pronunciation of between is “bit-ween.” The first syllable sounds like the word “bit,” and the second syllable has the “een” sound, similar to “seen.” To hear how it’s pronounced, click the play button:
Let’s explore different examples of between in various contexts to better understand how it’s used.
Among is used only when referring to more than two things or people. It implies a relationship where distinctions are less important, or where the items involved are treated collectively or in a group. It suggests a sense of being part of a group rather than separating distinct choices. For example, the decision was made among the team members.
The pronunciation of among is “uh-muhng.” The first syllable sounds like the “a” in “about,” and the second syllable, “mung,” rhymes with the word “sung.” To hear how it’s pronounced, click the play button: To hear how it’s pronounced, click the play button:
Let’s explore different examples of among in various contexts to better understand how it’s used.
Among for two Items:
Incorrect: She divided the money among her two children.
Correct: Use between for two items (e.g., “between two children”).
Between for more than two items with no distinction between them
Incorrect: The competition between candidates was fierce during the interview process.
Correct: Use among for groups (e.g., “among candidates”).
Key Differences | Among | Between |
Purpose | Used for groups or things considered collectively. | Used for two distinct entities or groups. |
Relationship | Implies shared relationships within a group. | Implies distinct, individual relationships. |
Number | More than two entities. | Typically two entities, but can be used with more. |
Example | She was seated among her colleagues. | The debate is between Arya and Robb. |
Fill in the blanks with either among or between to test your understanding!
Check out our course on “Grokking the Technical Writing Process,” which will provide insights into technical writing, audience analysis, creating coherent paragraphs, iterative improvement, and mastering parts of speech and punctuation for impactful and well-structured communication.
Learning the difference between among and between is essential for clear, effective communication. While between is used for two distinct things, among is used for relationships involving three or more items. By understanding these subtle distinctions, we can elevate our writing skills, especially in technical fields where clarity is paramount.
Haven’t found what you were looking for? Contact Us
To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:
Commonly confused words (homophones & similar-sounding words): These words sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Prepositions & usage differences: These words and phrases are often confused due to subtle contextual differences.
Punctuation & formatting: These involve rules for using dashes, abbreviations, and sentence structure.
Grammar & sentence structure: These deal with pronoun choices, verb usage, and comparison.
Free Resources