between 既可以作介詞,也可以作副詞,而 among 只能作介詞,它們作介詞時意思相近,具體的區別如下:
一、between 和 and 組合成並列連詞,常用於連接兩個事物,例如:
They’re building a new road between Manchester and Sheffield.
他們正在曼徹斯特和謝菲爾德之間修建一條新路。
between 有時也可以用於連接超過兩項的事物,例如:
Our house is between the wood, the river and the village.
我們的房子在樹林、河流和村莊之間。
當連接超過兩項的事物時,用 between 清楚地列出每個獨立的項,例如:
I’m trying to decide between the athletic shoes, boots, and high heels.
我想在運動鞋、靴子和高跟鞋之間做出決定。
There has been a marked increase in trade between France, Germany and Italy.
法國、德國和義大利之間的貿易明顯增加。
用 between 連接時間或數字,例如:
A child develops rapidly between the ages of 13 and 16.
孩子在13到16歲之間發育迅速。
Most wines contain between 10% and 15% alcohol.
大多數葡萄酒含有10%到15%的酒精。
二、among 常用於連接三個事物或更多,例如:
That old temple is hidden among trees.
那座古廟藏在樹林裡。
當一組裡有或是超過三個事物,且所指事物是該組裡面的一部分或沒有特指時,用 among,例如:
She began rummaging among the books on her desk.
她開始在桌上的書中翻來翻去。
The secret was spread among the crowd.
這個秘密在人群中傳播開來。
三、討論物理位置
1、當討論物理位置時, between 用來描述處於具體某條路徑或某個點的東西,例如:
Bolivia lies between Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
玻利維亞位於智利、秘魯、巴西、阿根廷和巴拉圭之間。
I walk between the trees and the house.
我走在樹和房子之間。
2、當討論物理位置時,among 用來描述處於很多事物中間的東西,沒有具體的某條路徑或是某個點,例如:
She lives in that house among the trees.
她住在樹叢中的那所房子裡。
Mary is popular among the students.
瑪麗在學生中很受歡迎。
四、常跟 between 或 among 連接的短語
1、between
A、difference between 意為「…之間的不同」,例如:
There is a striking difference between Jane and Mary.
簡和瑪麗有顯著的不同。
B、between you and me,不用 between you and I,通常用於你想要某人和你一起保密,例如:
Between you and me, I don’t think she has a chance of gettingthat promotion.
在你和我之間,我認為她沒有機會得到提升。
2、among
A、distribute among 在…中分配,例如:
The reward money was to be distributed among the poor.
獎金將分配給窮人。
B、among others / among other things 意為「除…之外,還」,例如:
They among others, would gather intelligence on enemy strengths and fortifications.
除此之外,他們還將收集有關敵人力量和防禦工事的情報。
Among other things, the group hopes to put an Internet connection and a printer in every village.
除此之外,該組織還希望在每個村莊建立網際網路連接和印表機。