between one of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between one of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it suggests a contradiction, as "between" implies two entities, while "one of" suggests multiple entities. Example: "You can choose between one of the two options available."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Yokota scenes relate to a fictional subplot that focuses on the relationship between one of the powerplant workers and a childhood American friend.

University of Chicago

The contest between Austin and Harrison was an ongoing spat, between one of the smallest players on the Lions team and the biggest bloke in Australian rugby.

The Guardian - Sport

Moments before, Paul appeased a shouting match between one of our group and a man on a motorcycle.

The Guardian

"His dear Watson": A story about the love between one of the world's leading experts on narcolepsy and his narcoleptic pet Chihuahua.

Stanford University

Like many others, Charles Petit of The Knight Science Journalism Tracker made the connection between one of the most striking photographs published on Wednesday and the top movie in America, "Iron Man".

The New York Times

On Friday afternoon, the network released email correspondence between one of its producers, Carrie Stevenson, and a student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after last week's school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

The Washington Post

I stay on the Homer side sometimes when I am transitioning between one of my three lodges or when the weather is bad.

Huffington Post

(He says its longest serving gig between one of its contractors and one of its employers has gone on four years at this point).

TechCrunch

Once you reach level 5 and then click on a gym, you will have the option of picking between one of three teams.

Huffington Post

Science- Host a debate between one of the wizards cited in the article and a scientist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The grouping alternates between one-of-a-kind hand-painted versions and those that were relatively mass produced using stencils.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to express a selection among multiple items, use "among the" or "from one of" to avoid grammatical ambiguity. For example, prefer saying "Choose among the options" rather than "Choose between one of the options".

Common error

Avoid using "between one of" because "between" typically refers to two distinct items, while "one of" implies a selection from a group. This creates a contradiction. Instead, opt for "among" to indicate selection from a larger group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between one of" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it exhibits a grammatical inconsistency. As Ludwig AI suggests, “between” suggests two entities, but “one of” suggests multiple entities. This makes it difficult to determine its precise grammatical role and is generally seen as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "between one of" appears frequently across various sources, it's grammatically questionable because it mixes the concept of "between" (implying two entities) with "one of" (implying a selection from multiple entities). According to Ludwig AI, this usage is considered incorrect. To enhance clarity and precision, alternatives like "among the" or "from one of" are recommended. Although the phrase's prevalence earns it a "Very common" rating, its inherent grammatical issues and the availability of better options lead to a lower expert rating. It's advisable to opt for clearer language to convey your meaning accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from among the

This alternative directly indicates selection from a group, clarifying the intended meaning.

among the

This alternative suggests a selection from a group of three or more, removing the binary implication of "between".

selected among the

Highlights that the element has been picked among multiple elements, avoiding using the term "between".

among a set of

Directly indicates selection from a group, replacing the relational aspect.

from one of

This phrase emphasizes selection or origin from a group, avoiding the relational implication of "between".

one of the

This option focuses on identifying a single item as a member of a larger set, omitting the 'between' context.

chosen from the

It denotes the act of selecting from a set, replacing the relational context.

out of the

It highlights selecting a single item from a broader group, removing the relational aspect.

in the midst of

Suggests being surrounded by a group, not necessarily choosing.

within one of

Focuses on containment within a single entity, not a choice between multiple ones.

FAQs

What's wrong with saying "between one of"?

The phrase "between one of" is grammatically awkward because "between" typically suggests a relationship involving two items, while "one of" suggests selecting from a group of multiple items. The combination creates a logical contradiction.

How can I correctly express the idea of choosing from a group?

Instead of "between one of", use phrases like "among the", "from one of", or "one of the" depending on the specific context. These options accurately convey the meaning of selecting from a group.

Is there a situation where "between one of" is acceptable?

While commonly used, especially in informal contexts, it's generally advisable to avoid "between one of" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically clearer alternatives like "among the" or "from one of".

What's the difference between "between one of" and "among the"?

"Between" traditionally refers to two items or entities, while "among" refers to three or more. Using "among the" is more accurate when selecting from a group of three or more, unlike "between one of" which mixes the contexts and is considered incorrect.