Use of 'Between' and 'Among'
Between
Between is a preposition and preposition works as a connector. I have already given a detailed explanation about preposition in my previous post. If you don't know more about preposition you may read by clicking (here). I have explained in simple way to understand for all the persons in less effort.
'Between' is a preposition that is used for an object or thing that surrounded by only two objects or persons. For example, if a person named 'Ram' is sitting anywhere, and after a moment his two friends named 'Sohan' and 'Krishna' come and sat both friends beside Ram in opposite direction to each other that means one left hand side and other right hand side. Now, we can say that 'Ram is between Sohan and Krishna.' In this sentence Ram is sitting between Sohan and Krishna.
Let's focus on other example, we know that there are many states in India but we take only three states Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi in example. When we go from Bihar to New Delhi then Uttar Pradesh lies in midway. Means, beside Uttar Pradesh there are two states Bihar and New Delhi. So, we can say that 'Uttar Pradesh is between Bihar and New Delhi.'
Rule 1. Between is used in the sense of middle when there are two objects or Persons beside.in opposite direction to each other.
More examples :
- She was sitting between her two children.
- Divide this apple between you and me.
- Sohan sits in class between Raju and Rahul.
Note : After between 'and' is used don't use 'to'. For example Sohan sits in class between Raju to Rahul. This sentence is absolutely wrong replace 'to' with 'and'.
Use pronoun always in objective case after 'between'. If pronoun is used in nominative case then it is wrong.
For example, if the above second example it written as 'Divide this apple between you and I.' It is absolutely wrong replace I with me.
Rule 2. Each or every is not used after between.
More examples :
- The empire blew a whistle between the balls.
If we write 'The empire blew a whistle between each balls. then it is absolutely wrong. In this sentence each is superfluous so replate it.
Note : After between 'each/every + S.N. + and + the next' is used
Examples :
- There is a good relationship between each student and next.
- There is friendship between every boy and next.
|
Between and Among |
Among
Among also is a preposition but it is used for the person or thing that is surrounded by more than two objects or persons. As 'between' also 'among' is considered as middle.
If any house is surrounded by many trees then we can say that 'The house is among the trees.'
Let's take other example, If Ram is a student and he has many friends like Shyam, Sudhir, Raja, Kaushal etc. In class Ram sits on a bench and all his friends surround him then we can say that 'Ram is among Shyam, Sudhir, Raja and Kaushal.'
Rule 1. The meaning of the word 'Among' is middle and its is used for more than two persons or things.
Examples :
- Share these apple among the children.
- Divide this mangoes among the people.
Note : Now there are two confusing word one 'among' and other is 'amongst' Let's discuss more about these confusing words in the view of usases.
- Among and Amongst is used before the consonant starting plural noun
Examples ;
- Among the children.
- Amongst the children.
2. While Amongst is used before vowel starting words. Not use 'Among' before vowel starting word.
Example :
- Amongst our brothers.
- Amongst us.
For the first example given above, if we write Among our brothers. Then, it is absolutely wrong. Because, Among has been used before the word 'our' that starts with vowel 'o'. So, Amongst our borthers is the right form of sentence
As the same is in also second sentence.. Amongst is used before the word 'us' because it starts with vowel letter 'u'. If we write Among us. Then, it is absolutely wrong sentence.
Differences of 'Between' and 'Among' in brief
- Between is to show middle position of any object or persons that has two objects or persons with but in opposite direction. While Among also is used to show the middle position but that has not two objects or persons with rather that has more than two persons or objects that surround the object or persons.
Differences between 'Among' and 'Amongst' in brief
About Among I have discussed above but here is comparison between 'Among' and 'Amongst'. A plural word that starts with consonant then before it both the word Among and Amongst are used. But when a word that starts with vowel letter then before it only Amongst is used.
You may also read
0 Comments