Between & In Between

Question

Hi, I am glad I found this English Forums. This is my first question, I am not sure if this is the correct way to ask questions. Hope I am doing it the correct way. Your feedback would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Is my sentence below correct?

The diagram shows the connections between social network users. It can be one or more connections between the users.

Should I use "between" or "in between"?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I'd use "between." The "in" serves no purpose at all.

Welcome to English Forums, Shyuan. Thanks for joining us!

- A.

Edit. As an aside, the second sentence has a small problem. What is the antecedent of "it"? The natural choice is "the diagram."

Do you mean to say that "the diagram can be one or more connections etc."?

I suspect you mean, "The diagram can show one or more connections etc."

This is a common error. We think something like, "It can be that the diagram shows etc."
But the "It can be" serves no purpose.
These useless phrases are more likely to come up in casual conversation, since we're making the sentences up as we go along.
However, when the sentence is written, we have a second chance to look at it and see if it really makes sense.

Khoff · Answer

Hi, Shuyan! Welcome to English Forums. The way you asked your question was perfect -- the question was clear, your request was polite, and you used correct capitalization, spelling and punctuation! (We are always fighting against things like "how r u") You even gave your post a meaningful title. We are happy you are here.

ShyuanThe diagram shows the connections between social network users. It can be one or more connections between the users.

You don't want "in between" here. In fact, to be perfectly correct, use "between" for "between two things" and "among" for more than two things. (Not everyone observes this rule, but you might as well know about it.)

Your second sentence should begin with "There can be. . . " So:

This diagram shows the connections among social network users. There can be one or more connections among users.

I hope you find English Forums useful.

Shyuan · Answer

Hi khoff,

Thank you so much for your kind words

I always feel good to use correct capitalisation, spelling and punctuation because practice makes perfect hehe

And of course I have to be polite since I am asking for help (I am also polite even if it's not a request)

You clearly explained what you are trying to deliver to me, really appreciated that! English is my second language. Although I learnt it since I was young, I am still having troubles with English grammars, like.. A LOT!

And this becomes a headache for me when I am writing my thesis D:

I do like this forum very much to be honest

Shyuan · Answer

Hi Avangi,

Thank you for your explanation.

Yes, I tend to write the sentences like the way we speak in casual conversation.

I noticed the problems in this sentence after proofreading it.

And you are right, my intention is to say ""The diagram can showone or more connections etc.". I got you!

Thank you so much for the correction on both sentences!

Avangi · Answer

You're most welcome!

Between & In Between

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