Between vs. Among: When To Use Each One

The words between and among are two prepositions that are often used very similarly. Sometimes, they are even used to mean the same thing, depending on the context. However, they often can’t be used interchangeably, so it is important to know the differences between these two words. 

In this article, we will break down the difference between among and between, explain how they are typically used, state how they are often distinguished from each other, and provide examples that show how we typically use them in sentences. 

among vs. between

The words among and between are prepositions used to describe relationships of two or more people or things. They each have several meanings. Among is most commonly used to mean “surrounded by” and “in the midst of.” 

For example:

• She slept among the tulips.
• The spy was a sheep among wolves. 

Between is most commonly used to mean “in the space separating” and “distinguishing one from another.”  

For example:

• He was standing between Todd and Becky. 
• Is there really any difference between ivory and eggshell white?

Although between and among are both used to describe relationships involving multiple people or things, they’re generally used distinctly in two ways based on context.

The first distinction is based on how many people or things are being specifically referred to. Between is typically used to refer to a relationship involving two people or things, while among is used to refer to a relationship involving more than two people or things. 

For example:

• Two things: I can’t choose between vanilla and chocolate cake.
• Two things: We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.
• More than two things: Among all fifty states, Alaska is the biggest in size.
• More than two things: I have ten puppies, and Princess is the cutest among them.

The second distinction involves how the members of a relationship are discussed. The word between is typically preferred when referring to relationships in which each individual person or thing is distinctly mentioned, even if there are more than two members. Among is preferred if the members of a relationship are only mentioned generally or vaguely, even if there might be only two members. 

For example: 

• Specific mention: The money was divided between Robin, Tuck, Marion, and John.
• General mention: The money was divided among the band of merry men.
• Specific mention: There is bad blood between the elves and dwarves.
• General mention: There is bad blood among the fey nations.

Generally speaking, most language resources do not recommend using among and between interchangeably and will recommend one of these distinctions.  

In informal usage, though, between and among can be used interchangeably in some situations. Between is often used to refer to relationships or comparisons of more than two people or things, even when speaking generally. 

For example:

• There shouldn’t be any secrets between/among the four of us. 
• There are many similarities between/among the seven basketball teams. 

Examples of between and among used in a sentence

Let’s prove our grammar knowledge is among the best in the world by looking at how we use between and among in sentences. 

• The store is open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• There is an imposter among us. 
• I think Lisa would win in a race between Patrick and her.
• Among all of the runners, Ryan is the fastest. 
• She sat among the sheep in a field between the river and forest.