When are you supposed to use among or between? The answer lies in the number of people or things involved.
“Between” is a word designed for confidences. It concerns two people. I can share a secret with my friend and trust that it will stay “between” the two of us.
The word can also be use to compare on thing to a group to which it belongs. For example, if my friend and I are exchanging secrets at the local ice cream parlor, I have to choose “between” chocolate and vanilla. That, of course, would never happen; I am and may forever be a fan of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. There, the secret’s out.
“Among” is for a gathering of people. The word relates to relationships involving more than two people or things. If I am “among” friends, I am more than likely with at least two other people. We might share confidences “among” ourselves, but it isn’t likely. The greater the number of people involved, the likelier it is that the secret will get out.
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