When is it appropriate to use the words between and among? You may be surprised by the answer! Under certain circumstances, it is correct to use between for more than two entities.
Between
· Between is used for one-to-one relationships.
o You have to choose between Kyle and Mickey, but you can’t invite both.
o Please keep this secret between you and me.
· Between can be used for more than two objects if multiple one-to-one relationships are understood from the context.
o The school allowed marble-trading between the kids in first grade and second grade.
o Congress allowed discussions between the groups of lobbyists.
· Between can be used by more than two distinct items, groups, or people.
o He had to choose between the chocolate mousse, the pear tart, and the sorbet.
o The talks between North Park residents, small business owners, and Jack-in-the-Box’s lawyers were not going well.
o There are many differences between omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores.
Among
· Among indicates undefined or collective relationships (things that are not distinct items or individuals).
o The news about the mayor’s scandalous behavior spread among the city folk.
o Kyle and Mickey are among the friends you can ask to spend the night.
· Among is used for a group of people, or someone left out of a group.
o She felt like a lamb among a pack of wolves.
o Tony was happy to find another unicyclist among the Tour de France contenders.
Location
Between and among also refer to physical location. Note the difference between “the dog was between the trees” and “the dog was among the trees”:
· Between
· Among
Amongst
Used in the same places you would use among, but unless you are writing historical fiction or you are British, using amongst tends to sound like Mr. or Ms. Pretentious Fancy-Pants.
A Mung
A small, round green bean, commonly grown as a source of bean sprouts.
Kara Church
Senior Technical Editor
Editor's Corner 
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