Hi everybody.,.,among and between

Question

hi ereybody .,.,i hope you are fine.,.,can someone tell me the differnce between .,.,among and between.,.,.,i will thank you a lot.,.,

Tanit · Accepted Answer

Hi

And welcome here! This is what http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/between dictionary says:

usage There is a persistent but unfounded notion that between can be used only of two items and that among must be used for more than two.
Between has been used of more than two since Old English; it is especially appropriate to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the number of items. It can be used when the number is unspecified <economic cooperation between nations>, when more than two are enumerated <between you and me and the lamppost> <partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia — Nathaniel Benchley>, and even when only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied) <pausing between every sentence to rap the floor — George Eliot>. Among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships <discontent among the peasants>. When among is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom may be strained <a worthy book that nevertheless falls among many stools — John Simon> <the author alternates among modern slang, clichés and quotes from literary giants — A. H. Johnston

Tanit · Answer

... However you might probably be more interested in what M-W calls "persisted but unfounded notion", that is the rule we are generally taught. You can read it below.

Usage note
Among expresses a relationship when more than two persons or things are involved: Distrust spread among even his strongest supporters.
Between is used when only two persons or things are involved: between you and me; to decide between tea and coffee.

Between also continues to be used, as it has been throughout its entire history, to express a relationship of persons or things considered individually, no matter how many: Tossing up coins between three people always takes a little working out. Between holding public office, teaching, and writing, she has little free time.

(source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/between)

Anonymous · Answer

Between is when you're talking about something specific.
For example, Sara chose between sandwiches, pizza, and pasta for dinner.
There are clear choices.

Among is when you're talking about something general.
For example, Rumors spread among the students.
There's no clear choices.

Also, when talking about location, again between is more specific and among is more general.
For example, She walked between the trees. She walked among the trees.
She walked between the trees says that there was a path or something and she didn't touch the trees.
She walked among the trees suggests that she was almost one of them, weaving in and out of the forest.

Hope this helps <3 Best of luck! xoxo Alanna

Philip · Answer

TanitHowever you might probably be more interested in what M-W calls "persisted but unfounded notion",

I'm not sure how unfounded I am, but I ampersistent.

Tanit · Answer

PhilipI'm not sure how unfounded I am, but I am persistent.

I wish I were as unfounded and persistent as you!

G Force · Answer

The Dictionary.com statement is inaccurate as "among" in the example is describing the distribution of the distrust rather than the relationships between the supporters. The example actually complies with the Merriam-Webster statement that "among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships."

Hi everybody.,.,among and between

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