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Yet another myth about the English language: among versus between
Subtitle:

Common mistakes seen on italki. Mistake #2: Misuse of AMONG.


Let's start with a question. Which of the following two options is correct?

A What's the difference between X, Y and Z?
B What's the difference among X, Y and Z?

Hands up. Who thinks B is correct?

If you think is B is correct, you're almost certainly a non-native speaker of English. You chose option B because your teacher or grammar book taught you to use 'between' when there are two elements and 'among' when there are more than two. You think that option A is wrong, because you shouldn't use 'between' when you're talking about three things. Is that the case?

Well, unfortunately, this 'rule' is one of the many myths about English, one of the many 'facts' that are taught to millions worldwide but which turn out to be wrong.

In fact, the correct wording is "What is the difference between X, Y and Z?". This is because you are asking us to consider each of these elements individually, and to identify the difference between X and Y, between X and Z, and between Y and Z. You cannot use 'among' in this context.

Here's a dictionary definition of 'among':

1: in the middle of or surrounded by other things
The flowers are hidden among the roots of the trees
Detectives searched among the wreckage for evidence

2: happening or being included as part of a group of people or things
The problem is most widespread among teenagers
A 20-year-old Canadian woman is among the victims

Those are correct examples of how to use 'among'.

Remember - the difference between 'among' and 'between' is not merely a question of number and it is always wrong to say 'the difference among..."

I hope you found this useful!

Comments · 24

7
Su.Ki., first of all, I would like to thank you for this amazing and thought-provoking article. Please do not pay attention to not very smart comments. Your posts are always very interesting.

I immediately intuitively chose the A option, because this option corresponds to the norm of the Russian language. In Russian and English, the use of analogs of the words 'between' and 'among' is the same. In fact, these words reflect different phenomena. 'between' always means one thing out of two or between two things. 'among' means that one of the group. As you can see, there is a difference. I think that the philosophical approach in explaining such cases is better than the mathematical one.

This is a fairly simple thing, so I think that in every language there should be something like that.
7
Why are you posting the same article thousands of times?

https://www.italki.com/discussions/1478711/comments

Arina:

Well, I think that's a pretty good example of the differences which you're looking for, Arina. When someone takes the trouble to help you, it is normal to say 'Thank you'. As I explained in the very same answer which seemed to irritate you, this is a question of simple good manners.

However, bearing in mind the 'differences in mentality' which you seemed so keen to learn about, I'll take the incredibly rude "Why are you posting the same article thousands of times?" as being your equivalent of "Thank you for answering my question, and thank you even more for going back and editing the answer several times in order to make sure it is clear, helpful and comprehensive. I really appreciate the extra effort you went to to help me".

Next time you ask a question, I shan't bother to answer at all. Happy now?
6
I have often wondered who among us know the difference between these two.
4
Since your question made me think:

Are there skeletal differences between raptors and scavengers? (comparing raptors to scavengers)

Are there skeletal differences among raptors and scavengers? (raptors and scavengers are treated as a group and we are comparing different species belonging to the group)

Both sound correct to me. Does that me put me in the shameful group of wrong native speakers?
4
Note: Those with good math skills are welcome to correct my comments if necessary.

Richard:
I sha'nt sh'ant shan't comment, then ;)

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