Sign inBetween
'Between' is one of those words that every English speaker must be familiar with. In this lesson, we will go over everything about it.
'Between' can function as both a preposition and an adverb. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.
Functions of 'Between'
'Between' as a Preposition
One of the main functions of 'between' is to be a preposition. Below, we are going to learn all about it:
Use
'Between' as a Preposition of Place
We can use 'between' to show the location of something/someone, so we call it a preposition of place. Below, there is a list of all its meanings as a preposition of place:
- When we are putting something/someone in the space separating two things/people:
She stood
- We can use 'between' to show the amount of something:
The passengers' suitcase must weigh
Here, it shows that the amount must be more than '19' and less than '23'.
If your weight is
- When we want to indicate the a line separating two things/people/places, we use it:
The border
This line shows the borders
- When we want to share something with someone:
I will tell you my secret only if you promise me that it will stay
Let's have a pasta
- When we want to indicate a special connection, friendship, etc. between two things/people:
I can sense so much passion
Sometimes I don't wanna choose
- When we want to state that some actions are involved:
'Between' as a Preposition of Time
'Between' can also be a preposition of time. When we want to show a period of time between two different events, we use 'between' as a preposition:
It's recommended that you not spend so much time on your phone
When I was a university student, I used to have 30 minutes break
Position in a Sentence
Since 'between' is a preposition here, it mainly comes before nouns and noun phrases. We can have a prepositional phrase at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of sentences. Below are examples for more clarification:
Can I drink water
Justina and her friends ran to the forest
Warning!
Note that whenever we have a prepositional phrase at the beginning, we must have a comma after it. Also, when the prepositional phrase is in the middle, it must be between two commas.
'Between' as an Adverb
As mentioned above, 'between' can also be an adverb. Below, we are going to learn all about the different kinds of adverbs it can be:
Use
'Between' as an Adverb of Place
We can also use 'between' as an adverb of place and show that something is in the middle of two things. Look at the following examples for more clarity:
I found a stack of letters with rose petals in
I could see two kids and an adult
'Between' as an Adverb of Time
'Between' can also be an adverb of time, signifying a gap between two points in time. Below, you can find examples:
A vocal and a guitar class with literally two minutes
It is best to have three meals with a few snacks
Position in a Sentence
As you know, adverbs mainly modify adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. So, they come after them. Look at the following examples:
I found a stack of letters with rose petals in
You will have two projects with a 15-minute break
Idioms and Expressions with 'Between'
We have very few idioms with 'between'. However, we will learn all about them below:
- Be between jobs/marriages/etc: When someone does not have a job, etc right now:
It's been a while since I've
I'm worried about Ron. He's
- Read between the lines: When we want to discover the different layers of meaning in something:
One of the greatest lessons studying literature in the university taught me was to
Instead of looking for explicit meaning, try to
Comments
