between
/bɪˈtwiːn/ (bre, ipa) · [bɪtwˈin] /bɪˈtwiːn/ (ame, ipa)
between — preposition
1. located or moving in the gap that has one thing on each side.
located or moving in the gap that has one thing on each side.
A narrow stream runs between the school and the rice field.
between + two places for position
Chiara parked her scooter between two delivery trucks outside the market.
The cat slipped between the fence posts and vanished into the garden.
A bench stands between the library entrance and the old stone fountain.
文法句型
between + place/person/object + and + place/person/object
用法筆記
Usually names the two sides of a physical gap. It can describe either a fixed position or movement into that space.
2. used for a number, size, age, or amount that is above one point and below anothe
used for a number, size, age, or amount that is above one point and below another.
The repair will cost between twenty and thirty dollars, depending on parts.
between + two amounts for a range
Children between eight and ten can join the Saturday science club.
The path is between three and four miles from the village.
Mateo said the soup should cool to between forty and fifty degrees.
文法句型
between + lower amount + and + higher amount
用法筆記
Common with ages, prices, temperatures, percentages, and distance. After between, the two limits are usually linked with and.
常見錯誤
3. during the stretch of time after one event and before another.
during the stretch of time after one event and before another.
The cafe stays quiet between lunch and the start of dinner service.
between + two events for time interval
Amani usually answers emails between classes while the hallway is empty.
Between the storm and sunrise, the fishing boats remained near shore.
The clinic closes between noon and one for a short lunch break.
文法句型
between + time/event + and + time/event
用法筆記
Often appears with meals, lessons, appointments, and dates. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about physical space rather than time.
4. shared among several people or things, or produced by their actions together.
shared among several people or things, or produced by their actions together.
The bill was split between five friends after the late noodle supper.
shared amount between a group
Between rent, food, and fuel, Nadia spent most of her salary.
between introduces combined causes
Trust between the cousins grew after they reopened the family shop.
The prize money was shared between the school band and the art club.
文法句型
between + people/things
between + item 1, item 2, and item 3
用法筆記
Common with money, work, trade, and similarity. Distinguish from sense 5, which focuses on a meeting, argument, or game involving both sides.
5. used when an activity or event involves both sides or groups named.
used when an activity or event involves both sides or groups named.
Talks between the nurses and the hospital ended after midnight.
between after a noun of discussion
Tonight's match between Seoul and Busan starts at seven.
A bitter argument broke out between the neighbors over the barking dog.
The meeting between the parents and the teacher lasted an hour.
文法句型
talks/match/argument/meeting + between + group + and + group
用法筆記
Most often follows nouns such as talk, argument, meeting, or match. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about sharing or similarity rather than the event itself.
6. used when someone must pick one option and not the other.
used when someone must pick one option and not the other.
Ada could not decide between the red coat and the navy one.
decide between A and B
Choose between sending the parcel now and waiting for cheaper postage.
Rania felt torn between loyalty to her sister and honesty.
Voters are choosing between two plans for the river bridge.
文法句型
choose/decide between A and B
be torn between A and B
用法筆記
Often follows verbs such as choose, decide, and pick. The two options are normally linked with and, not or.
常見錯誤
7. showing a link, comparison, or other relationship joining two things.
showing a link, comparison, or other relationship joining two things.
Doctors found no link between the rash and the new soap.
link between A and B
There is little difference between the two sketches at first glance.
Chiara noticed a clear connection between stress and her headaches.
The teacher compared the two poems and showed links between their themes.
文法句型
link/difference/connection between A and B
用法筆記
Usually appears after nouns such as link, difference, connection, and comparison. Distinguish from sense 8, which is about movement between places.
8. used for travel, movement, or services going back and forth across two places.
used for travel, movement, or services going back and forth across two places.
Buses run between the airport and downtown every twenty minutes.
transport service between two places
Feng travels between Tainan and Kaohsiung for work twice a week.
A small ferry moves between the island and the mainland at dawn.
Delivery trucks shuttle between the bakery and its city shops.
文法句型
travel/run/shuttle between A and B
用法筆記
Subjects are often buses, trains, ferries, or people who go back and forth. Distinguish from sense 7, which names a relationship rather than motion.
9. forming or marking the line, space, or difference that keeps two things apart.
forming or marking the line, space, or difference that keeps two things apart.
A low fence between the gardens keeps the dogs apart.
between with a separating object
The river between the two towns froze during the coldest week.
Years of silence built a wall between the brothers.
The wide gap between the step and the platform worried Asher.
文法句型
wall/river/gap between A and B
用法筆記
Common with nouns such as wall, fence, river, gap, and border. It highlights separation, not connection as in sense 7.
between — adverb
1. in the middle space or interval, with things on either side.
in the middle space or interval, with things on either side.
Two tall pines stood apart, and a lantern hung between.
between used as an adverb of place
The twins sat on opposite sides, with their backpacks piled between.
The dentist saw one patient at ten, with paperwork in between.
Lunch and rehearsal filled the day, with a short nap in between.
文法句型
with + noun + between
in between
用法筆記
Often follows a noun or clause and is common in the phrase in between. It names the middle space or the short time gap itself.