between us two

USAGE SUMMARY

'between us two' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something exists, or will occur, between two people specifically. For example, you could say: "We have an understanding between us two that we'll never tell anyone about this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

("It's between us two now").

The Guardian - Books

"That's the difference between us two," he goes on.

The New Yorker

I remember thinking at the time how, between us two women, we were cooking up three boys.

The Guardian

And between us two, I think I must confess that the best I obtained in the second debate was a draw.

The New Yorker

There was one last moment of clarity between us two years before his death, during an intense conversation in which he told of his sorrow at my having to take care of him.

The New York Times

4 "So great is the difference between us two; but, as a rule, it is those who have the better equipment that secure the victories.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I hope there will be peace between us one day".

The New York Times

"Between us three brothers, I'm very proud of what we've brought to this country," Gores says.

Forbes

"The competition between us four made all of us better," he said.

Los Angeles Times

"I do feel that there is a special chemistry between us four," Shakira tells Oprah about her fellow coaches.

Huffington Post

Organizing our time with each of our children (seven between us from two marriages) and grands (24) would get crazy without it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "between us two" to emphasize a private or confidential understanding specifically between two individuals. It adds a personal touch to the communication.

Common error

While acceptable, "between us two" might sound slightly informal in highly formal or professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "in confidence" or "between ourselves" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between us two" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates a relationship or understanding shared exclusively by two individuals, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "between us two" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating a private understanding or connection shared by two individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to establish confidentiality and is commonly found in news media and academic contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve this phrase for neutral to informal communication styles. For more formal settings, consider stronger alternatives like "in confidence" or "strictly between the two of us". Remember to use "between you and me", not "between you and I". Overall, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of intimacy and shared knowledge between two people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just between ourselves

Emphasizes the private nature of the information being shared.

only between you and me

Highlights the exclusivity of the shared knowledge.

in confidence between us

Stresses the trust and confidentiality involved.

strictly between the two of us

Reinforces the importance of maintaining secrecy.

just between you and I

A grammatically questionable but colloquially acceptable version, still implying privacy.

in our private understanding

Focuses on a mutual agreement or unspoken pact.

within our inner circle of two

Highlights the close relationship and shared space between the speakers.

amongst ourselves

Emphasizes sharing within a closed group.

in a manner exclusive to us

Highlights the exclusivity of the action/information.

in a confidential manner

Focuses more on the confidentiality than the sharing aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "between us two" in a sentence?

You can use "between us two" to indicate a shared secret or understanding. For example: "This is just "between us two", but I'm planning to quit my job."

What's a more formal alternative to "between us two"?

For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "in confidence" or "between ourselves". These phrases convey the same sense of privacy but with a more professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "between you and I" instead of "between you and me"?

While some might use "between you and I", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. "Between you and me" is the correct form because "me" is the object of the preposition "between".

What's the difference between "between us" and "between us two"?

"Between us" can refer to more than two people, while ""between us two"" specifically limits the group to two individuals, emphasizing a personal connection.