Among vs. Between — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
Among is used for more than two items or a group, while Between is used for two distinct items.
Difference Between Among and Between
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Among and Between are both prepositions in the English language. Among generally relates to being part of a larger group or collective, while Between implies a relationship or position relating to two specific items or points. For instance, if you were to talk about secrets shared, you'd say "among friends" if it's a larger group, but "between two friends" if it's just a pair.
Among denotes inclusivity, such as when one is part of a whole. Between, on the other hand, often indicates a distinction or separation, indicating a sort of space or differentiation. In geometry, the term Between is used to describe a point that lies in the middle of two other points.
Meanwhile, Among might be used to describe a point that is in the midst of a cluster of points. When using these words in everyday situations, it's essential to understand the context.
For instance, a discussion "among colleagues" suggests a broader group, while an agreement "between two colleagues" specifies a pair.
Comparison Chart
Number of items
More than two or a group
Two distinct items
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Implication
Inclusivity in a group
Distinctiveness or separation
Typical use
Within a group or collective
Relating to two points
Example with countries
Among the nations
Between Canada and Mexico
In relation to position
Surrounded by or amidst
In the middle or interval of
Compare with Definitions
Among
Surrounded by; in the company of.
She felt safe among her friends.
Between
Relating to a choice or differentiation involving two items.
You must choose between the red and blue shirt.
Among
Denoting a shared quality or characteristic.
There's a feeling of excitement among the team.
Between
In the space separating two things.
The ball landed between the two trees.
Among
In the middle of a group.
He was standing among the crowd.
Between
At a point or interval separating two points in time, space, or range.
I will be there between 3 PM and 4 PM.
Among
Indicating inclusion.
These secrets are only known among us.
Between
Shared by two.
An agreement was made between the two companies.
Among
Situated more or less centrally in relation to (several other things)
You're among friends
Flowers hidden among the roots of the trees
Between
Indicating a connection or relationship involving two parties.
The bond between mother and child is strong.
Among
Being a member or members of (a larger set)
Snakes are among the animals most feared by man
A British woman was among the 54 victims of the disaster
Between
In or through the position or interval separating
Between the trees.
Between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock.
Among
Occurring in or shared by (some members of a group or community)
Members of the government bickered among themselves
A drop in tooth decay among children
Between
Intermediate to, as in quantity, amount, or degree
It costs between 15 and 20 dollars.
Among
Indicating a division, choice, or differentiation involving three or more participants
The State Council would elect a temporary president from among its members
The old king called the three princesses to divide his kingdom among them
Between
Connecting spatially
A railroad between the two cities.
Among
In the midst of; surrounded by
A pine tree among cedars.
Between
Associating or uniting in a reciprocal action or relationship
An agreement between workers and management.
A certain resemblance between the two stories.
Among
In the group, number, or class of
She is among the wealthy.
Between
In confidence restricted to
Between you and me, he is not qualified.
Among
In the company of; in association with
Traveling among a group of tourists.
Between
By the combined effort or effect of
Between them they succeeded.
Among
By many or the entire number of; with many
A custom popular among the Greeks.
Between
In the combined ownership of
They had only a few dollars between them.
Among
By the joint action of
Among us, we will finish the job.
Between
As measured against. Often used to express a reciprocal relationship
Choose between riding and walking.
Among
With portions to each of
Distribute this among you.
Between
In an intermediate space, position, or time; in the interim.
Among
With or against one another
Don't fight among yourselves. See Usage Note at between.
Between
In the position or interval that separates (two things), or intermediate in quantity or degree. (See Usage notes below.)
John stood between Amy and Mary.
Let's meet between two and three.
I want to buy one that costs somewhere between forty and fifty dollars.
Among
Denotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or separable objects. (See Usage Note at amidst.)
How can you speak with authority about their customs when you have never lived among them?
Between
Done together or reciprocally.
Conversation between friends
Among
Denotes a belonging of a person or a thing to a group.
He is among the few who completely understand the subject.
Between
Shared in confidence.
Between you and me, I think the boss is crazy.
Let's keep this between ourselves.
Among
Denotes a sharing of a common feature in a group.
Lactose intolerance is common among people of Asian heritage.
Between
In transit from (one to the other, or connecting places).
He's between jobs right now.
The shuttle runs between the town and the airport.
Among
Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard,And from his presence hid themselves amongThe thickest trees.
Between
Combined (by effort or ownership).
Between us all, we shall succeed.
We've only got £5 between us.
Between the leaky taps and the peeling wallpaper, there isn't much about this house to appeal to a buyer.
Among
Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women.
Between
One of (representing a choice).
You must choose between him and me.
Some colour-blind people can't distinguish between red and green.
Among
Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.; also, a relation of reciprocal action.
What news among the merchants?
Human sacrifices were practiced among them.
Divide that gold amongst you.
Whether they quarreled among themselves, or with their neighbors.
Between
Taking together the combined effect of.
Between the food and the card games, this proved to be the best birthday party I have ever had.
Among
Being a part of a larger set or group.
Among the options, this one is the best.
Between
A kind of needle, shorter than a sharp, with a small rounded eye, used for making fine stitches on heavy fabrics.
Between
In the space which separates; betwixt; as, New York is between Boston and Philadelphia.
Between
Used in expressing motion from one body or place to another; from one to another of two.
If things should go so between them.
Between
Belonging in common to two; shared by both.
Castor and Pollux with only one soul between them.
Between
Belonging to, or participated in by, two, and involving reciprocal action or affecting their mutual relation; as, opposition between science and religion.
An intestine struggle, open or secret, between authority and liberty.
Between
With relation to two, as involved in an act or attribute of which another is the agent or subject; as, to judge between or to choose between courses; to distinguish between you and me; to mediate between nations.
Between
In intermediate relation to, in respect to time, quantity, or degree; as, between nine and ten o'clock.
I . . . hope that between public business, improving studies, and domestic pleasures, neither melancholy nor caprice will find any place for entrance.
Between
Intermediate time or space; interval.
Between
In the interval;
Dancing all the dances with little rest between
Between
In between;
Two houses with a tree between
Common Curiosities
What should I use when discussing two specific entities?
Use "Between" for two distinct entities.
Can "Among" be used for two items?
Typically, "Among" is best used for more than two, but there can be exceptions based on context.
Which word should I use for more than two items?
Use "Among" for more than two items.
Is "Between" only for physical positioning?
No, "Between" can also imply relationships, choices, or shared characteristics of two entities.
If I'm talking about three countries' agreement, which word is correct?
"Among" would be correct, as it's more than two countries.
How does "Among" relate to inclusivity?
"Among" suggests being a part of a group or collective.
Can "Between" be used metaphorically?
Yes, like "torn between two choices."
Which word is appropriate for shared secrets with a friend?
"Among" for a group, "Between" for two friends.
Is "Between" suitable for distances?
Yes, like the distance between two cities.
What's the key difference in context between the two words?
"Among" often implies being amidst or part of a group, while "Between" signifies relation or differentiation of two entities.
Can "Between" refer to relationships?
Yes, like the bond between two individuals.
Can "Between" be used for time intervals?
Yes, like "between 9 AM to 5 PM."
When can "Among" be used for only two items?
Rarely, and usually in older literary contexts or when there's an implied larger group.
Can "Among" suggest shared characteristics?
Yes, like mutual feelings among a group.
If I'm discussing feelings in a group, which word should I use?
"Among" would be appropriate, like feelings among members.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
