between

be|tween [ bı`twin ] function word ***

Between can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

the distance between two places

as an adverb (without a following noun):

two classes with a short break between

1. ) with people or things on each side or end

a ) if someone or something is between two other people or things, the two people or things are on each side of them:

Hold the needle between your finger and thumb.

New York City is about halfway between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Charlotte sat between her two sons at the reception.

Put the two smaller vases on the ends and the big one in between.

b ) connecting two places:

Trains running between Boston and New York were delayed.

2. ) with times or events before and after

a ) in the period after one time or event and before the next:

The office will be closed between Christmas and New Year.

The show opens next Monday. Between now and then we'll be rehearsing every day.

She does two performances a night, with only a very short break between.

in between: Try to avoid snacks in between meals.

3. ) within a range within a range of numbers, amounts, ages, etc.:

Choose a number between 1 and 10.

children between the ages of 4 and 13

in between: Fifteen is too few, but 30 is probably too many somewhere in between would be about right.

4. ) involving two or more people or things

a ) used for showing which people or groups are involved in an agreement, discussion, competition, fight, etc.:

a telephone conversation between the Prime Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State

The winner of tonight's game between Dallas and San Francisco will go to the Superbowl.

b ) used for showing that two things, people, organizations, or ideas are related or connected:

There has been a steady improvement in relations between China and the rest of the world.

Scientists believe there is a link between diet and certain types of cancer.

=> AMONG

5. ) used for showing a difference or making a comparison used for stating which two people or things are similar or different:

Does a five-year-old know the difference between right and wrong?

There are obvious parallels between computer systems and the workings of the human brain.

the gap between rich and poor

6. ) used for showing how a total is divided

a ) used for showing how something is shared or divided:

We agreed to split the profits between us on a fifty-fifty basis.

The public-school teacher generally has to divide her time between record keeping and classroom teaching.

between doing something: Between cooking, cleaning, and looking after three kids, I don't have much time for myself.

b ) used for showing that the total amount of something is owned, given, or produced by two or more people:

Between us, we managed to collect over $4,000.

7. ) used for stating what may be chosen used for showing that you can choose one out of two or more things:

They're both beautiful designs it's hard to choose between them.

Third year students have a choice between philosophy, sociology, and economics.

between you and me

used when you are telling someone something that you do not want anyone else to know about:

Between you and me, I think she has a problem with her boyfriend.

=> ROCK1