The difference between among and between

There are a few different ways among and between are used. The most common use for among is when something is in or with a group of a few, several, or many things. The most common use of between is when something is in the middle of two things or two groups of things. It is sometimes used in the phrase in between. Between can also be used for times and places that indicate two end points.

The examples below show how among is used when something is within a group:

• I sat among the other students. [=There were other students all around and I sat within the group.]
• He dropped the penny among the flowers. [=He dropped the penny somewhere in the flower bed.]
• Sidney has several dancers among her friends. [=Within Sidney's group of friends, several of them are dancers, but the rest are not dancers.]

The examples below show how between is used when something is in the middle of two things or two groups of things, or two times or places:

• He sat in between Allen and Melissa. [=He sat in the middle of Allen and Melissa.]
• Mongolia is in between China and Russia. [=China is on one side of Mongolia and Russia is on the other side of Mongolia, and Mongolia is in the middle.]
• I will be at work between 8 am and 5 pm. [=8 am to 5 pm is the range of time you will be at work; you will be there for the time in the middle of those two times.]
• The train runs between New York and Boston. [=The train travels from one city to the other, and the two cities are stops at the ends of a route.]

Among and between are also used when dividing things up. Use among or between when dividing a group of things and giving them to three or more people, but if there are only two people, it is best to use between:

• Jane divided the cookies among/between the five children. [=Jane gave some of the cookies to each of the five children.]
• Jane divided the cookies between the two children. [=The cookies were divided into two groups, and one is for each child.]

Among and between are also used to make comparisons. Use among or between when making a comparison about three or more things or people, but if there are only two things or people, it is best to use between:

• The difference between the two dresses is that one is short and one is long. [A comparison is being made about only two things.]
• There are many differences among/between the children. [A comparison is being made about more than two people.]

I hope this helps.