to work between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to work between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a function or role that involves operating in the space or context between two entities, groups, or concepts. Example: "Our team is tasked to work between the marketing and sales departments to ensure better communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The couple had hoped to get to work between 8 30 and 9 a.m.

The New York Times

I used to work between 16 and 20 days each month, sometimes 25 days.

The Guardian - Travel

Cyclosporine drops take some time to work — between six and eight weeks in most cases.

Harvard University

So far, we are still able to work between the rain above and the mud below.

Columbia University

Most of the time, translators are hired to work between English and French, Spanish, German or Japanese.

The New York Times

We think this is applicable to art in such a way that we wanted to work between both worlds.

The New York Times

And which of the four will display the physicality and rapport with these quarterbacks to work between the hash marks?

The New York Times

Evening fares for London's black taxis were recently increased by the city government in a move to encourage more drivers to work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The New York Times - Travel

"The federal rules don't allow us to deal with the medical aspect of mammography," he says, adding, "We are trying to work between the lines".

The New York Times

In the city of Kolkata, in the east, taxi drivers refused to work between 11am and 4pm after a driver died in his cab.

The Guardian

He went to work between the blocks to score 12 of his 19 points in the first half — his highest output since Feb. 6.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to work between" when you want to emphasize the act of operating or functioning within the space or context that exists between two defined entities, areas, or points in time.

Common error

Avoid using "to work between" if the intention is simply to work with multiple elements simultaneously, rather than specifically bridging or operating in the intervening space between them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to work between" is as an infinitive phrase, often acting as a verb complement or part of a larger verb phrase. It describes an action involving operating in the space or context between two entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to work between" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that describes operating or functioning in the space or context between two distinct entities. Ludwig confirms its usability across a range of settings. While versatile, it's important to use it when specifically highlighting the act of bridging or existing in the intervening space between two entities, as opposed to simply collaborating with multiple elements. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. Related phrases include "to operate among", "to function between", and "to mediate between", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to function between

Highlights the operational aspect of working within two defined boundaries or entities.

to span between

Suggests a continuous connection or range existing from one point to another.

to interface between

Highlights the act of connecting or interacting directly between systems or entities.

to operate among

Focuses on the action of functioning within a group or set, rather than specifically bridging two distinct entities.

to liaise between

Focuses on establishing and maintaining communication links between different groups or organizations.

to bridge across

Highlights the action of creating a connection or link to overcome a divide or gap.

to mediate between

Emphasizes the role of resolving conflicts or facilitating communication between parties.

to act as an intermediary

This phrase emphasizes the role of a third party in facilitating a process or communication.

to straddle across

Implies spanning or extending across two different areas or contexts, emphasizing a broader scope.

to connect among

Focuses on making connections within a larger group, not necessarily limited to two entities.

FAQs

How can I use "to work between" in a sentence?

Use "to work between" to describe a function or role that connects or operates in the space between two distinct entities, such as "Our team needs "to collaborate between" the marketing and sales departments".

What are some alternatives to "to work between"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "to operate among", "to function between", or "to mediate between".

When is it appropriate to use "to work between" instead of "to work with"?

"To work between" is suitable when emphasizing a bridging or connecting role between two specific entities, whereas "to work with" implies collaboration or cooperation involving multiple elements simultaneously. Using "to work with" is preferred when you are not specifically highlighting the intervening space.

Is "to work between" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "to work between" can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, in more formal contexts such as scientific or business writing, alternatives like "to liaise between" or "to interface between" might be preferred depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.