among the two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among the two" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "between the two," as "between" is used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more. Example: "The decision was made between the two candidates who interviewed for the position."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is some overlap among the two groups.

The Washington Post

Among the two men's eight cellmates are four convicted murderers.

The New York Times

The interbreeding swapped genes among the two groups.

The Guardian

There are 10 fireplaces in all among the two units.

The New York Times - Travel

This finding suggests a highly similar distribution and severity of disease among the two patient groups.

Stanford University

And overall levels of enthusiasm among the two groups did not vary significantly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Joseph and Chassity Myers are among the two million buyers eligible for the credit this year.

The New York Times

He is now among the two hundred thousand Burmese refugees living in Thailand.

The New Yorker

(O'Hara may well have been among the two hundred townspeople who were signed up as extras).

The New Yorker

Overtaking inelastic solitonic interactions between/among the two and three solitons are discussed by figures plotted.

Advances in Difference Equations

Their relationship started, and blossomed, last year among the two-by-fours and the spackle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "between the two" when referring to a relationship, comparison, or distinction involving exactly two items. "Among" is reserved for three or more items.

Common error

Avoid using "among" when referring to only two items. "Among" indicates a relationship involving three or more entities. Using "between" ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among the two" functions as a prepositional phrase, intending to describe a relationship or distribution. However, it deviates from standard English grammar, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "among the two" appears with some frequency across various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "between the two" when referring to exactly two items. Although the phrase's intended function is to indicate a relationship or comparison between two entities, its misuse detracts from clarity and accuracy. It's crucial to use "between" instead of "among" in such cases to adhere to standard English grammar and ensure effective communication. Despite its occurrence in news, science and academic contexts, this construction should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between the two

Replaces "among" with "between", which is the correct preposition for indicating a relationship involving only two items.

of the two

Indicates selection or comparison within a pair, omitting the preposition altogether.

comparing the two

Focuses on the act of comparison between two items.

considering both

Highlights the act of taking both items into account.

regarding the pair

Refers to the two items as a distinct set.

in relation to both

Emphasizes the connection or relationship between the two items.

with respect to the two

Indicates that the following statement is specifically about the two items mentioned.

as to the two

Similar to "with respect to", but slightly more formal.

when comparing these two

Directly states that a comparison is being made.

in contrast to these two

Highlights differences rather than similarities between the two items.

FAQs

What is the correct way to compare only two items: "among the two" or "between the two"?

The correct way to compare two items is to use "between the two". "Among" is used for comparisons involving three or more items.

When should I use "among" versus "between"?

"Between" is used when discussing things that have a clear relationship with each other and are clearly separate (usually two things). "Among" is used when the items are not clearly separate (can be three or more things).

Are there situations where "among the two" is acceptable?

No, "among the two" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use when referring to two items is "between the two".

What are some alternatives to "among the two" if I want to avoid using "between"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "of the two", "comparing the two", or "considering both".