Among vs between
Use between for two people or things, or for the space that separates them. Use among when someone or something is mixed in with a group, is one of a group, or is shared by a group.
Between has tw in it, like two. It is the usual word for two things.
among preposition
Mixed in with a group of people or things, being one of that group, or shared by the people in a group.
- Wildflowers grew among the rocks.
- The cat hid among the boxes in the garage.
between preposition
In the space that separates two things, or involving two people or things together.
- The village lies between the river and the hills.
- There is an agreement between the two companies.
Watch out
- Between can name more than two people when you add up what they have or do together.Between them the children ate the whole cake.
- Between is also right for three or more when each one is a separate party, as in a treaty between three countries.The talks between the three countries ended without a deal.
- To say something is one of a group, use among, not between.The bridge is among the oldest in Europe.
Test yourself
The ball rolled into the gap blank the two cars.
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between. The gap is the space that separates two things.
Her lost ring was hidden somewhere blank the fallen leaves.
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among. The ring is mixed in with a large group of leaves.
You have to choose blank tea and coffee.
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between. You are picking one of two things.
This song is very popular blank teenagers.
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among. The liking is shared by the people in a group.