Among vs Between: Which One Do You Need?
Use between for distinct, named things. Use among for an undivided group.
A treaty between three states. Popular among students.
The test that settles it
Ask whether you could list the items. If each one is being considered separately, use between — however many there are. If they are a mass, use among.
“the difference ___ the four options” → each is separate, so between.
“a rumour ___ the staff” → the staff are a group, so among.
Between: distinct items
It relates things to each other one by one. The old rule that it means only two is wrong, and has been contradicted by usage for centuries.
The agreement between the four partners.
Choose between these three designs.
The gap between theory and practice.
Could you name each item? Then between.
Among: an undifferentiated group
It places something inside a mass, without picking out individuals. It takes a plural or collective noun.
She was among friends.
The virus spread among the flock.
Among the papers was a letter.
Swap in surrounded by. If it works, among.
Side by side
| Among | Between |
|---|---|
| Undivided group | Distinct items |
| Plural or collective noun | Any number, individually considered |
| Swaps with surrounded by | Swaps with separating |
| Popular among readers | Divided between four |
The exceptions
Plenty of people were taught that between can only join two things. Dictionaries and usage guides have rejected that for over a century.
A treaty between the five nations is correct, because the nations are being considered one by one. Among the five nations would mean something looser.
Amongst means exactly what among means. It is more common in British English and sounds slightly formal; neither is more correct.
Amid is different again — it means in the middle of something uncountable: amid the confusion.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Divide it among the two of you. | Divide it between the two of you. | Two named people. |
| The disease spread between the population. | The disease spread among the population. | An undivided mass. |
| between you and I | between you and me | After a preposition, the object pronoun. |
| a choice among the three finalists | a choice between the three finalists | Each finalist is separate. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- Share the profit ___ the four partners.
- The idea is popular ___ younger voters.
- What is the difference ___ these two?
- He was ___ the last to leave.
- The talks ___ the six countries collapsed.
Show the answers
1. between 2. among 3. between 4. among 5. between
Frequently asked
So between is fine with more than two?
Yes, whenever the items are being considered individually. The two-only rule was never accurate.
Is it “between you and I”?
No. Between is a preposition, so it takes me. Between you and I is a very common overcorrection.
More words people confuse
