between the three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between the three" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The decision to split the project between the three team members was made in order to divide the workload evenly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Imagine a conversation between the three.

The New York Times

"One turnover between the three of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Between the three of us".

The Guardian

The difference between the three Big Star records is massive.

The Guardian - Music

There are big differences between the three positions.

The Guardian - Business

Between the three of us, we have 80,000 subscribers.

The New York Times

Between the three of us, we're practically Jesus".

The New York Times

It is open competition between the three of them.

The Guardian - Sport

It's tempting to draw parallels between the three votes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opposition to the ban differs between the three pollsters.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But there are talks between the three main opposition parties".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a distribution or division, use "between the three" to clearly indicate that the allocation involves three distinct entities or parties. For example, "The responsibility was divided between the three departments to ensure balanced workload."

Common error

While "between" can be used for more than two items when specifying distinct relationships, ensure clarity. If the relationship is collective and less defined, "among" may be more appropriate. For instance, use "between the three candidates" to highlight individual comparisons, but "among the team members" for a general sense of participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between the three" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. It indicates a relationship, comparison, or distribution involving three distinct entities. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from scientific comparisons to describing relationships between individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between the three" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a relationship, comparison, or distribution involving three entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While "between" is typically used with two items, it's acceptable for three or more when highlighting distinct, individual relationships. Alternatives include phrases like "among the three" and "involving the three", offering nuanced options for expressing similar connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the three

Replaces "between" with "among", indicating a relationship within a group of three; often interchangeable but "among" is generally used when referring to groups.

involving the three

Highlights the participation or inclusion of three entities in a particular situation or activity.

linking the three

Emphasizes the connection or association established among three elements.

connecting the three

Focuses on the act of linking or joining three entities, rather than their relative position.

comparing the three

Specifies the act of contrasting or finding similarities among three items or concepts.

in relation to the three

Indicates a contextual relationship or dependence involving three factors.

with respect to the three

Establishes a specific viewpoint or perspective when considering three elements.

regarding the three

Introduces a topic or subject concerning three particular entities.

pertaining to the three

Highlights relevance or connection of something to a group of three.

in the context of the three

Frames a situation or discussion within the scope of three defined items.

FAQs

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

Use "between the three" when emphasizing the distinct relationships or comparisons involving three specific entities. Use "among the three" when referring to a collective or general relationship within a group of three.

What are some alternatives to using "between the three"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "connecting the three", "involving the three", or "linking the three" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "between" with three or more items?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "between" with three or more items, especially when emphasizing the distinct, one-to-one relationships between each item. However, for general relationships within a group, "among" is often preferred.

How does the meaning change if I use "across the three" instead of "between the three"?

Using "across the three" suggests a distribution or movement spanning all three entities, rather than a relationship or comparison. For example, "information was disseminated across the three departments" indicates a spread of information.