falls between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falls between" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the location of something between two other things, or a time period. For example, "The date of the election falls between April and May."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He falls between two stools.

The New Yorker

Public debate falls between two poles.

The Economist

Afternoon light falls between us.

The New York Times

Their house falls between the two extremes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hogan's Peter Pan falls between two stools.

The Guardian - Film

Still, Meacham's book falls between the cracks.

The New York Times - Books

The rate falls between what the two sides asked for.

The New York Times

Mendelssohn falls between the cracks of historical chronology.

The New York Times

And so "House of Names" falls between two horses.

The New Yorker

"I'm the girl who falls between," she says.

The Guardian

Mild cognitive impairment falls between normal forgetfulness and early Alzheimer's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falls between", ensure that the two endpoints of the range or spectrum are clearly defined for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "falls between" when the boundaries are unclear or subjective. Define specific parameters to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falls between" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating location or position within a defined range or spectrum. It establishes a relationship between a subject and two boundary points, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "falls between" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to locate something within a defined range, applicable across various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While grammatically correct, ensure that your boundaries are clearly defined. Alternatives include "lies between" or "is situated between". The phrase's neutral register and high frequency make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lies between

Replaces "falls" with a more static verb, emphasizing location.

is situated between

More formal and emphasizes the placement between two points.

is intermediate to

Focuses on the concept of being in the middle or average.

is in the range of

Highlights a numerical or quantifiable span.

is within the bounds of

Suggests being limited or contained by two extremes.

exists in the interval of

Technical and specific to numerical or quantifiable ranges.

is a hybrid of

Indicates a blend or combination of two distinct elements.

straddles the line between

Implies an equal presence in both areas.

occupies a middle ground between

Emphasizes a neutral or compromise position.

resides in the spectrum between

Highlights the continuous range or variation.

FAQs

How can I use "falls between" in a sentence?

The phrase "falls between" is used to indicate that something is located or exists within a specific range or interval. For example, "The average score "falls between" 70 and 80".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "falls between"?

You can use alternatives like "lies between", "is situated between", or "is in the range of" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "falls between" or "fall between"?

"Falls between" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "Fall between" is correct when referring to a plural subject. For example, "The value "falls between" 1 and 5" versus "The values "fall between" 1 and 5".

What's the difference between "falls between" and "falls within"?

"Falls between" implies that something exists in the space separating two defined points, whereas "falls within" suggests that something is contained entirely inside a defined area or set of parameters.