English Profile

between · preposition

/bəˈtwiːn/Full view

between (SPACE)

A1 in the space that separates two places, people or objects

Dictionary examples:

The town lies halfway between Rome and Florence.

Standing between the two adults was a small child.

A narrow alley ran between the two houses.

She squeezed in between her sisters.

Learner example:

I think that I left it in your bedroom, [o]n the shelf between your bed and your brother's. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

between (TIME)

A1 in the period of time that separates two different events or times

Dictionary examples:

You shouldn't eat between meals.

There is a ten minute break between classes.

The ticket office closes between 12:30 and 1:30 for lunch hour.

Learner example:

I will arrive between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock. (Key English Test; A2; French)

between (INVOLVE)

A1 involving two or more groups of people

Dictionary example:

Tonight's game is between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams.

Learner example:

I would like to go shopping and then see the match between Spain and Germany. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

between (AMOUNT)

A2 used to show the largest and smallest amount or level of something

Dictionary examples:

The box weighs between 55 and 60 pounds.

The competition is open to children between six and twelve years old.

Learner example:

It's for young people aged between 18 and 30 years old. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Somali)

between (CONNECT)

A2 connecting two or more places, things or people

Dictionary example:

There is regular train service between Philadelphia and Washington.

between (SEPARATE)

A2 separating two places or things

Dictionary examples:

The wall between East and West Berlin came down in 1989.

The gap between the rich and the poor has increased dramatically over the past decade.

Learner example:

I think that the most interesting place near my town is [the] mountains [which are] like a wall between my country and China. (Key English Test; A2; Russian)

between (SHARE)

B1 among two or more people or things

Dictionary example:

We drank two bottles of wine between four of us.

Learner example:

I think you'll have to discuss the ideas between you. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

read between the lines

C2 If you read between the lines, you understand what something really means when it hasn't been directly said or written.

Dictionary example:

Reading between the lines, it was obvious that something was wrong.

Learner example:

All songs send positive thoughts and messages to listeners, although sometimes you really have to read between the lines to understand this profound message. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

between · adverb

/bəˈtwiːn/

between (SPACE)

C1 in the space that separates two people, places, or things

Dictionary example:

The wood is in neat piles with newspaper placed in between.

Learner example:

There is a shuttle bus from the airport straight to the main station with only one stop in between. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

between (TIME)

C1 in the period of time that separates two events or times

Dictionary example:

There's a train at 6:15 and one at 10:30 but nothing in between.

Learner example:

Besides, there [is] research that prove[s] that people cannot work for more than two hours [at a time]. They can't concentrate that long [and] they need to rest their minds for short periods in between. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

few and far between

C2 not happening or existing very often

Dictionary example:

Opportunities like this are few and far between.

Learner example:

Jobs in those days were few and far between and for a number of years he was alternating between temporary jobs and unemployment benefit[s]. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)