Among or between?

That's true.

Absolutely!

Hi

I agree we have no choice other than 'between' in the case of two defenders. But as for the case there are more than two defenders, I think we can choose both 'among' and 'between'. OED says about the choice as follows.

In all senses, 'between' has been, from its earliest appearance, extended to more than two. In OE. and ME. it was so extended in sense

Aha... Very interesting post, Paco. I think you usually tend to give this kind of useful and exact information.

Thanks to you and the others who have answered my question,

Sextus

So it should be:

I can tell the difference between (not among) the three men.

Isn't it? Thanks.

Ricky

Hello Ricky

As you see, I'm a mere learner. So I cannot tell you anything with confidence. What I can say is something I found in written documents or the result of google survey.

As for "difference between/among (the) three", the google gives:
difference(s) between (the) three … 126,000+208,000+24,000+21,000=379,000
difference(s) among (the)

Yes; "differences between the three men" might relate to differences as in 1) "things that are different" or 2) "disagreements".

But "differences among the three men" would only relate to "disagreements".

MrP

I think that today I'm a little dumb, because I couldn't understand your post!

Sextus

Sorry, it was a little obscure.

"Differences" can mean either "disagreements" or e.g. physical differences (hair colour, etc.).

If you say:

1. There are differences between the three men.

"differences" might have either meaning. But if you say:

2. There are differences among the three men.

it could only relate to "disagreements".

MrP

So, in the case of the sentence I wrote in my first post, do you agree with Paco in that I should use "between" instead of "among", or not?

Sextus