Preposition BETWEEN — When and How to Use It
Quick Answer
Use between when one thing is in the middle of two other things — the bank is between the shop and the cafe, you sit between two friends.
Example: The school is between the park and the library.
BETWEEN in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how between works:
- The cafe is between the bank and the shop. (There is a bank on one side and a shop on the other side.)
- She sat between her two friends. (One friend on her left, one friend on her right.)
- The keys are between the books on the shelf. (Books on both sides of the keys.)
When to Use BETWEEN
Use between when one thing is in the middle of two other things. There must be something on each side. Two sides, one thing in the middle.
- Two buildings on each side: “The post office is between the school and the park.”
- Two people: “The baby is between her parents.”
- Two objects: “The phone is between the laptop and the lamp.”
Easy way to remember: Use \”between\” with the word \”and.\” The shape is always: between X and Y. If you can name the two things on each side, this is the right word.
The Rule in One Line: Use between when something is in the middle of two other things.
Real-Life Examples With BETWEEN
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- My house is between the school and the supermarket. (School on one side, supermarket on the other.)
- She walked between two tall buildings. (Buildings on both sides of her path.)
- The map is between the door and the window. (Door on one side, window on the other.)
- There is a small park between the two cafes. (A cafe on each side of the park.)
- The little boy was sitting between his parents. (One parent on his left, one on his right.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With BETWEEN
The most common mistake is using \”between\” with only one thing. \”Between\” needs two sides — if you only have one thing, you need \”next to\” instead.
Using between with only one thing
✗ The bank is between the shop.
✓ The bank is between the shop and the cafe.
Forgetting the word and
✗ She sat between her friend , her sister.
✓ She sat between her friend and her sister.
Using among for two things (use \”between\” for two, \”among\” for three or more)
✗ The book is among the laptop and the lamp.
✓ The book is between the laptop and the lamp.
How to remember: Two things, one word in the middle: between X and Y. If you can say \”and,\” you can use \”between.\”
Common \”between\” sentences: between A and B, between the trees, between us, between two cars, between the houses.
Test Yourself: BETWEEN
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. The school is _______ the park and the library.
2. The phone is _______ the laptop and the lamp.
3. She sat _______ her two best friends.
4. There is a small garden _______ the two houses.
5. The cat is sleeping _______ the cushions.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned between. With this word, you can describe almost any place where one thing sits in the middle of two others.
Now think about your own home for a moment. The TV is in front of you, the sofa under you, the lamp next to you — but what about the garden? It is not in front, not next to, not between. It is somewhere you cannot quite see right now. There is one final preposition that handles this exact case.
Next lesson: Preposition BEHIND — When and How to Use It
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.