Difference between among and between

[GUGA]

Test No. errors/inter-2 "Between the lines", question 1

There are clear differences among the two pictures if you take the trouble to look very closely.

(a) There are
(b) among
(c) the trouble
(d) closely

Test No. errors/inter-2 "Between the lines", answer 1

There are clear differences between the two pictures if you take the trouble to look very closely.

Correct entry: between
The error was: (b) among
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Do I just use among when I have more than two things?

GUGA

[Alan]

Hi GUGA,

Absolutely right! Used as in: among the crowd (of people) -among my memories - among the things I like and so on.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Maria80]

Hello everyone!

I have one more question about difference between between and among.
I knew that between is for 2 things while among has to be used if I am referring to more than 2 things but what about this then:

"The main difference between the news services of radio, television and newspapers is to to do with the very immediacy of receiving the news item."

It is an extract from CAE 5, examinations papers from university of cabridge esol examinations.

Thank you!

[Alan]

Hi,

'Between' here is being used to make a contrast or a distinction which wouldn't work with 'among'.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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[Maria80]

thank you very much!

so between compared to among has a little bit stronger emphasize than among as far as contrasts and distinctions are concerned, hasn' it?

[Alan]

Yes, but remember we are talking about its figurative sense. In the literal sense the difference is perhaps clearer as in:

The market is situated between the station and the church.

Among the books you can see on this market stall you will find examples of novels from the 19th century.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Maria80]

Thank You very much!
now it is far clearer!

Goddbye!
maria

[JazzVess]

Hello,
in this context, isn't it more correct to use 'take the time' in stead of 'take the trouble'?

[Alan]

Hi,

Both expressions are acceptable. 'Take the time' or 'Find the time' to do something suggests that you set aside a period of time to do something. 'Take the trouble' to do something suggests be bothered or concerned to do something.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/hold