between themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is shared or done among a group of people without involving others outside that group. Example: "The committee members decided to discuss the proposal between themselves before presenting it to the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

foreign Dangers by alliances between themselves.

Columbia University

"They must've reached an agreement between themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

The greatest conflict is between themselves.

The Guardian - Film

Graduate nurses experience mismatches between themselves and their jobs.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Anderson and Williamson play out a maiden between themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

"They learn the connection between themselves and the community.

The New York Times

The Chinese men stared and commented between themselves.

The New Yorker

They would speak Polish or Russian between themselves.

The New Yorker

But they wouldn't scaremonger and they'd discussed it between themselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They lacked any ability to arrive at consensus between themselves.

The New York Times

On stage, they would always lark about between themselves.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "between themselves" when referring to actions or relationships that are exclusive to a defined group, distinguishing them from outsiders.

Common error

Ensure that "themselves" refers to a group, not a pair of individuals. Avoid using "between themselves" when "between you and me" is the correct construction for two people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between themselves" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action, discussion, or agreement is limited to the members of a particular group. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between themselves" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote actions, discussions, or agreements occurring exclusively within a defined group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various domains. While often interchangeable with "among themselves", the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use "between themselves" to clearly indicate interactions confined to a specific group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among themselves

Synonymous and largely interchangeable, but 'among' is typically used for groups of three or more.

amongst themselves

Variant of 'among themselves', carrying the same meaning and nuance.

with each other

Indicates a reciprocal action or relationship within a group.

in private

Highlights the confidential nature of discussions or actions within a group.

internally

Focuses on the internal dynamics and processes within a group.

within the group

Emphasizes the boundaries and confines of the group involved.

in their circle

Implies actions or discussions confined to a specific social or professional circle.

collectively

Highlights the shared and unified nature of actions performed by the group.

in agreement

Emphasizes that group members are aligned

jointly

Focuses on the collaboration and cooperation involved in actions performed by the group

FAQs

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

While often interchangeable, "between themselves" is typically preferred when referring to distinct, pairwise relationships within a group, whereas "among themselves" is more general and suitable for collective actions without specific pairings.

Is "between themselves" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "between themselves" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without being out of place.

What does "between themselves" mean?

The phrase "between themselves" means that something is done, felt, or shared only by the people within a particular group and not by or with anyone else. It implies exclusivity and internal interaction.

What are some alternatives to using "between themselves" in writing?

You can use alternatives like "among themselves", "with each other", or "in private" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.