🧠 TOEIC Trap: Between vs Among — Count First, Answer Fast

Part 5.
You see:

The responsibilities were shared ___ the four teams.

You stop.
Both “between” and “among” sound okay.
Only one is right.

The clock is ticking. If you don’t know the rule, you’re guessing.

🎯 Why TOEIC Wins This Point

This isn’t about vocabulary.
It’s about number and grouping.

  • Between → two separate people or things.

  • Among → three or more as part of one group.

💣 The One-Second Trigger

Ask:

“How many? And are they separate or one group?”

  • Two → between

  • Three or more (group) → among

👇 Watch It in Action

✅ Correct

I split the bill between Tom and Lisa.
(Only two) → between

✅ Correct

The prize was shared among the winners.
(Group of more than two) → among

✅ Correct

There was tension between marketing and sales.
(Only two departments) → between

✅ Correct

He walked among the crowd.
(Moving inside a group) → among

🧪 TOEIC-Style Practice

The responsibilities were divided ___ the four team members.
🧠 Four = group → among

She had to choose ___ two candidates.
🧠 Clear choice between two → between

There was discussion ___ the departments.
🧠 Multiple departments in a group → among

The contract was signed ___ the CEO and the client.
🧠 Two people → between

📝 Your Turn

Fill each blank with between or among.
Use the one-second check: two → between / group → among.

  1. Profits were split ___ the two investors.

  2. There was confusion ___ the five teams.

  3. He walked quietly ___ the group of students.

  4. The agreement was signed ___ the CEO and the client.

Answer Key + Coaching

  1. ✅ between — two investors

  2. ✅ among — group of five

  3. ✅ among — moving inside a group

  4. ✅ between — two people

🔁 Takeaway Rule

Don’t choose by sound. Count first.

  • Two → between

  • Three or more (group) → among

One glance at the number, and this trap is gone.

Final Word

TOEIC isn’t testing your vocabulary here — it’s testing if you can spot the relationship.
Count, decide, and take the point.

For more strategies and resources to master TOEIC relationship traps, visit the English Library Collection and start locking in word-choice confidence today.

SEO FAQ — Between vs Among What is the difference between between and among? Between is used for two things or people. Among is used for three or more in a group. When should I use between in a sentence? Use between when you are referring to exactly two people, things, or choices. When is it correct to use among instead of between? Use among when the subject involves three or more people or things treated as a group. Can I use between for more than two things? Only if the things are clearly separate and distinct. Otherwise, use among. Is “between the departments” correct? Yes, if there are only two departments being compared or discussed. Is “among the departments” correct grammar? Yes, if there are three or more departments and you are talking about them as a group. What comes after between? Usually two nouns or pronouns that are clearly separated. Can I say “between the five students”? No. Use “among the five students” — five is a group, not a pair. Is “among the two” correct? No. “Among” is not used for two. Use “between the two.” What’s a simple trick for between vs among? Count. Two = between. Three or more = among. Does TOEIC test the difference between between and among? Yes. This is a common trap in Part 5 and Part 6 grammar questions. Why do learners confuse between and among? Because both refer to groups or choices, but the grammar depends on number and structure. Can I use among for people? Yes. Among is often used when talking about people in a group. What’s the rule for “between” in TOEIC? Use it when referring to two people, departments, or options. What does “shared between” mean? It means something is divided between two people or sides. What does “shared among” mean? It means something is divided or experienced within a group of three or more. Can between and among both be correct? Only if the sentence changes. Each word needs the right structure to be correct. Is it correct to say “discussion among the teams”? Yes, if there are three or more teams involved. Is “between the company and the client” correct TOEIC grammar? Yes. It shows two parties clearly — so “between” is correct. How do I practice this for TOEIC Part 5? Focus on example questions where number and structure determine the right preposition.
A colour image of a group ot TOEIC test takers marking answers on their answer sheets.