How to Use “Between” And “Among”: Examples & Differences

One of the hardest things we come across when learning a new language is words that are very similar to each other. This similarity could be phonetic, morphological, or semantic. Some commonly confused words in English include “affect” and “effect,” “compliment,” and “complement,” and even words that are not morphologically similar, such as “fewer” and “less.”

Among these often-confused terms are the prepositions “among” and “between.” The two prepositions may appear similar, but their meanings and appropriate contexts of use diverge significantly. In this article, we will explore the differences and uses of these words, as well as some “between” and “among” examples. Let’s begin!

Understanding “Between” vs. “Among”

To solve the “between vs. among” puzzle, one must first understand the precise meaning of each word. Most dictionaries, including the Cambridge Dictionary, define the two words as follows:

Examples:

The singer got lost among the crowd of her fans.

The cost of the new kitchen should be divided equally among the four of you.

Examples:

The singer stood between the guitarist and the bass player of her band.

The cost of the new sofa should be shared between you and John.

These are a few examples that help illustrate the distinction between the two prepositions. Let’s check out the use of among and between in more specific and detailed examples.

The use of “among” and “between”

How to use the preposition “among” with examples

The preposition among should be used when you don’t want to name distinct entities or when you want to emphasize inclusivity and belonging within a group.

Some examples can include:

Chet, the cat, sat among his fluffy peers (= other cats, possibly more than three, whose identities are unknown or irrelevant).

I always feel at ease among my friends (= inclusivity as a part of a group).

She divided the stickers among her students (= give something to each one in a big group)

Among other things

A common expression that uses “among” is “among other things.” It is used to indicate that the list of something mentioned is not exhaustive, as in that there are more things that are not explicitly mentioned.

Example:

She is also a great musician, among other things.

How to use the preposition “between” with examples

The preposition between should be used whenever the identity and relationships of two or more entities are relevant to the conversation. It is also used to provide clarity about positions or intervals.

Some examples can include:

I need to choose between the violin and the saxophone (= two clear, distinct entities).

Mark will arrive between 10 AM and 11 AM (= to clarify intervals).

You should put the floor lamp between the sofa and the bookcase (= clarity about positions).

In between

A common expression that uses “between” but has a slightly different meaning is “in-between.” It is used to express an unclear stage between two clearly defined stages or states.

Example:

I am in between jobs at the moment.

I have tickets for a concert in March and one in June, but I will certainly find another one sometime in between.

The main difference between “among” and “between” & common mistakes

The best way to understand the between and among difference is by setting them in context. The most crucial difference that you should remember is that, while between focuses on individual relationships and specific entities, among focuses on the subject of the sentence, placing it among a collective group.

Let’s further highlight that through some common mistakes.

“Between” focuses on individual relationships

Incorrect: I would never be able to choose among mom and dad.

Correct: I would never be able to choose between mom and dad.

“Among” implies a collective group

Incorrect: Between all the stars in the sky, Sirius is the brightest.

Correct: Among all the stars in the sky, Sirius is the brightest.

Tips for learning to use “among” and “between” correctly

To effectively master the among and between difference, there are a few strategies you can consider:

1. Practice with context: Write sentences that could use each preposition in varying contexts. This can solidify your understanding of how they function.
2. Identify the relationships: Before using each word, ask yourself whether you’re discussing distinct entities (use “between”) or a group (use “among”).
3. Seek Feedback: Finally, you can always engage with a tutor who can offer you direct feedback and clarification. For instance, having a private lesson with an English teacher online on LiveXP can greatly enhance your language skills. The one-on-one guidance can help you identify errors, understand nuances, and provide tailored exercises that fit your learning style.

Conclusion

Commonly confused terms such as between vs. among are a common hurdle for English learners. The main key to avoiding mistakes is understanding their main differences and practicing their correct usage. Leveraging resources like LiveXP can further strengthen your grasp of these terms and enhance your overall English proficiency. Start learning now on LiveXP and build your skills among the myriad complexities of the English language!