between 和 among 都是「在……之間」。課本常說「兩個用 between,三個以上用 among」,這個說法大致上可以用,不過遇到例外的時候,你會需要另一個判斷方式哦。
先用最簡單的判斷
| 單字 | 大概的用法 | 例 |
|---|---|---|
| between | 兩個東西之間 | between the desk and the wall |
| among | 三個以上,或不特別點名的一群 | among the students |
The cat is sitting between the sofa and the table. — 貓坐在沙發和桌子中間。
She is popular among her classmates. — 她在同學之中很受歡迎。
between 的句型是 between A and B,兩個東西用 and 連接。不能寫成 between A to B 或 between A or B。
The store is open between 9 and 5. — 這家店營業時間是九點到五點。
更準確的看法:有沒有逐一指名
實際上,between 不只用在兩個。當說話者是把每一個對象一個一個看,就算有三個以上,也可以用 between:
The relationship between the three countries is complicated. — 這三個國家之間的關係很複雜。
The train runs between Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. — 這班火車行駛在台北、台中和高雄之間。
among 則是把它們當成一個整體、一群,或是「被包圍在其中」:
A house among the trees. — 樹林裡的一間房子。
She was among the winners. — 她是得獎者之一。
He is happy among friends. — 他跟朋友們在一起很開心。
所以比較好的判斷是:一個一個看,用 between;當成一群人或一整片,用 among。三個以上的東西,大部分時候會是 among,但如果明確是「一個對一個」的關係,between 也是對的哦。
動詞搭配也有影響
- choose between A and B:在兩個之間二選一
- choose among several options:從好幾個選項中挑
- divide the cake between the two children:把蛋糕分給兩個小孩
- divide the cake among the children:把蛋糕分給(一群)小孩
You have to choose between tea and coffee. — 你要在茶和咖啡之間選一個。
between you and me
between you and me(在你我之間,也就是「這是祕密」)是很常聽到的一句話。
Between you and me, I don't like his idea. — 這只有我們知道,我不太喜歡他的想法。
between 是介系詞,後面要接受格(you and me),所以標準說法是 between you and me。有些人會說 between you and I,這通常被認為是過度更正,考試裡不要這樣寫哦。
補充:amongst
amongst 是 among 的另一個寫法,多見於英式英語,意思一樣。平常寫 among 就可以了。
小測驗
先自己想,再看括號裡的答案。
- The ball fell ___ the bed and the wall. 球掉在床和牆之間。(between)
- He is the tallest ___ his friends. 他是朋友之中最高的。(among)
- Share the cookies ___ the four kids. 把餅乾分給四個孩子。(among)
- What's the difference ___ these two words? 這兩個字有什麼差別?(between)
這種「剛好兩個」和「三個以上」的界線,在 all、both、each、every 那篇的 both 身上也看得到,可以順便比較一下。
看完之後,下面那顆「我學會了」按一下,讓我知道你學會了吧 (❛◡❛✿)