among these two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among these two" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression should be "between these two," as "between" is used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more. Example: "The decision must be made between these two options."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The proposed strategy aims to search for a trade-off among these two potentially different effects.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

We have indicated that among these two EAS parameters, lateral distribution of secondary particles provides better mass discrimination.

Advances in Space Research

Using a real-world scenario, we highlight some similarities and differences among these two types of systems.

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

The authors have found good correlations among these two parameters for given collectors types, climates and fuel costs.

Solar Energy

"If it wasn't going to be Ferrer, then, frankly, it didn't matter that much who among these two Americans won," he said.

The New York Times

Established in 2004, WIEF gives particular focus on investing in women and the young; understandable given the high levels of unemployment among these two categories in Muslim countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the idea here is there's some potential battle that can occur among these two animals and the prize in the battle is V.

Yale University

Among these two samples, PF/MnFe2O4 shows better inhibition than WF/MnFe2O4.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Among these two cohorts, the entry and exit rates, respectively, are fairly substantial.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Among these two isolates, S. cerevisiae OBS2 displayed slight/moderate antioxidant and anticancer property.

AMB Express

Amazon is splitting its HQ2s among these two locations, with an anticipated need for an additional 50,000 employees.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "between" instead of "among" when referring to only two items to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "among" when you specifically mean "between" two items. "Among" is for three or more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among these two" functions as a prepositional phrase, intending to show a relationship involving multiple entities. However, according to Ludwig AI, the standard English usage dictates that "between" should be used for exactly two entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "among these two" is commonly used across various domains such as science, news, and academia, it is grammatically incorrect. Standard English dictates using "between" when referring to exactly two items. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct phrasing is "between these two". Despite its frequent appearance, especially in scientific literature, adhering to the "between" rule ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy. Therefore, while the phrase is prevalent, it is advisable to opt for "between these two" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between these two

Replaces "among" with "between", which is grammatically correct for referring to two items.

of these two

Offers a more concise way to indicate selection or relation from a pair.

in this pair

Emphasizes the context of a defined pair of items.

from these two

Highlights selection or origin from a specific pair.

regarding these two

Shifts the focus to a discussion or consideration about the pair.

concerning these two

Similar to 'regarding', emphasizing a focus on the pair.

in relation to these two

Focuses on the connection or relationship involving the pair.

when comparing these two

Highlights an act of comparison between the two items.

considering these two

Suggests a deliberate thought process involving the pair.

with respect to these two

Formally addresses the two items in question.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to use "among these two"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use when referring to two items is "between". So, you should say "between these two" instead of "among these two".

What's the difference between using "among" and "between"?

"Between" is used when referring to two distinct items or people, while "among" is used when referring to three or more. For example, a negotiation occurs "between two parties", but a consensus is formed "among several participants".

What can I say instead of "among these two"?

You can use the phrase "between these two", which is the grammatically correct alternative. Other options depending on the context might be "of these two" or "in this pair".

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

Use "between" when you're talking about two separate things. Use "among" when you're talking about three or more things that are part of a group. For example, the difference "between cats and dogs", but the distribution "among various species".