among two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among two" is not correct and not typically used in written English.
The correct expression would be "between two," which is used to indicate a relationship or comparison involving two entities. Example: "The decision was made between two candidates who had similar qualifications."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hagen was among two dozen applicants.

The New Yorker

Fermat considered an equation among two variables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subjects consistently preferred the lower voice, even among two women.

The Economist

Ms. Brar of Arvin was among two board members who voted against the decision.

The New York Times

"If the wind blows, choosing among two tough options just gets harder".

The New York Times - Sports

Haskanita is embroiled in a three-sided war among two formidable rebel groups and the government.

The New York Times

Both Skype and AIM allow for fairly smooth video connections among two or more family members.

The New York Times - Tech

We found that we were able to distinguish among two main types of water.

The New York Times

The ball landed among two defenders and Comas at the top of the penalty area.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter Hessler came in at two hours and forty-five minutes (first Hessler, among two).

The New Yorker

The 640 square feet of outdoor space are divided among two terraces and the backyard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "between two" instead of "among two" to ensure grammatical correctness. This applies to all contexts, whether formal or informal.

Common error

The preposition "among" is used when referring to three or more items. Don't use "among" when you are clearly referring to only two items; instead, use "between."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among two" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to indicate a relationship or distribution involving two entities. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "between two".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "among two" appears with considerable frequency across diverse sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct alternative is "between two" when referring to exactly two items or entities. The prevalence of "among two" across News & Media and Science domains highlights a common error. To ensure clear and accurate communication, particularly in formal or professional settings, it is vital to replace "among two" with ""between two"". Using "among" implies a group of three or more, while "between" is reserved for comparisons, distributions, or relationships involving only two.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between two

This is the grammatically correct and most direct replacement, indicating a relationship or distinction involving two entities.

in the middle of two

Emphasizes a spatial relationship, suggesting something is positioned centrally relative to two other things.

shared by two

Highlights the concept of something being commonly used or experienced by two entities.

divided between two

Focuses on the distribution of something into two distinct parts or among two recipients.

split between two

Similar to 'divided between two', but often implies a more forceful or abrupt separation.

relating to two

Indicates a connection or association specifically involving two entities.

concerning two

Similar to 'relating to two', but can also suggest a matter of importance for both entities.

for two

Indicates that something is intended or designed for use by two entities.

involving two

Highlights the participation or presence of two entities in a particular situation or activity.

affecting two

Indicates that something has an impact or influence on two entities.

FAQs

When should I use "between two" instead of "among two"?

Use "between two" when you are referring to exactly two distinct items or entities. The preposition "between" is specifically for two, while "among" is for three or more.

What is the correct preposition to use when discussing a choice involving two options?

The correct preposition is "between". For example, "The choice is "between two" candidates" is grammatically correct, not "among two candidates".

Is "among two" ever considered acceptable in formal writing?

No, "among two" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in both formal and informal writing. Always opt for ""between two"".

What are some alternatives to "among two" that maintain a similar meaning?

While "among two" is incorrect, you can use phrases like "in the middle of two" to describe a spatial relationship, or "divided "between two"" to indicate a distribution, though ""between two"" remains the best choice.