Among vs. between: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Between is typically used when referring to two entities or when distinguishing individual items within a group, emphasizing separateness. Among is used when referring to being in the midst of a group without emphasis on individual distinctions.
What they have in common
Both among and between are prepositions used to indicate relationships or positions relative to other entities. They both can convey the idea of being in the middle of or surrounded by something.
Examples
among
- She found comfort among her close friends.
- The deer hid among the trees.
- There was a sense of excitement among the crowd.
between
- He couldn’t decide between the red shirt and the blue one.
- The path runs between the two lakes.
- They agreed to split the profits equally between them.
Which one is more common?
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