Between vs. among: What’s the difference?

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.

Difference between among and between
Difference between among and between

What is between?

The prepositionA preposition is a word that defines the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in a phrase, generally representing position, direction, time, or manner. between is primarily used when referring to two distinct items or entities. It implies a clear, separate relationship between them. While between can technically be used for more than two things, it’s most commonly used when referring to two objects, people, or ideas. For example, the secret was shared between two brothers.

When to use between

  • 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.”

Pronunciation

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:

The use of between in different sentence contexts

Let’s explore different examples of between in various contexts to better understand how it’s used.

What is among?

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.

When to use among

  • Use among when referring to a group or collective of people or things.
  • It’s also used when there’s no specific distinction being made between the individuals involved.

Pronunciation

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:

The use of among in different sentence contexts

Let’s explore different examples of among in various contexts to better understand how it’s used.

Common mistakes when using between and among

  1. Among for two Items:

    1. Incorrect: She divided the money among her two children.

    2. Correct: Use between for two items (e.g., “between two children”).

  2. Between for more than two items with no distinction between them

    1. Incorrect: The competition between candidates was fierce during the interview process.

    2. Correct: Use among for groups (e.g., “among candidates”).

Among vs. Between

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.

Test your knowledge

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.

Conclusion

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.

Frequently asked questions

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What is the difference between in and among?

In refers to something being inside a particular space, while among refers to being in a group of things without individual distinctions.

Is it “between countries” or “among countries”?

Use “between countries” when referring to two distinct countries. Use “among countries” when referring to more than two countries.

What is the rule for between?

Between is used when discussing distinct relationships, typically involving two things or people.

What is the difference between within and between?

Within implies something inside or contained, while between involves a relationship or comparison between distinct entities.

To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:

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