Representing when, where, how and why
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Representing where | page 8 of 8 |
Using prepositional phrases: between and among
Between and among are used to indicate location in space in examples such as located between Sicily and North Africa. They also have "non-location" uses in examples such as the ratio between men and women.
Between is used when we are thinking about people and things as separate entities:
There's no parallels between him and Harold Wilson in terms of leadership qualities. (Bank of English)
It's rather a long distance between Hamburg and Denmark.
(Bank of English)
Each of these examples talks about two people but between can also be used for more than two people or things if these people or things are regarded as separate entities:
There's been a very fruitful collaboration between British Rail, the Mutual Aid Centre and ourselves in making this provision. (Bank of English)
The lack of ability to sell ideas has caused the rift over the years between management, unions, workforce, and the government. (Bank of English)
In contrast to between, among is used with groups (usually expressed as one plural noun or one collective noun):
We will never have a proper concept of learning among our children.
(Bank of English)A fragment of a limb was discovered among animal bones at a site in Boxgrove, West Sussex. (SCMP 18/5/94)
Inflation varied among cities, the agency said. (SCMP 4/4/94)
They have been at times attracted to different people among the group.
(Bank of English)
Introduction
Using prepositional phrases: between and among
