Inbetween or In Between | Meaning & Use
In between is always spelled as two words, but you need to hyphenate it to “in-between” if you use it as an adjective or a noun. “Inbetween” (one word) is always incorrect.
- In between generally functions as a preposition of place (e.g., “The bakery is in between the cafe and the drug store”) or time (e.g., “We like to go there in between classes”).
- Occasionally it’s a compound adjective (e.g., “It’s a kind of in-between stage”) or a noun (e.g., “You’re either with us or against us; there’s no in-between”); if you use it like this, it should be hyphenated.
In-between
You need to hyphenate “in between” to in-between if you are using it as an adjective or a noun. However, it’s fairly uncommon to use it with these grammatical functions.
As an adjective, “in-between” can mean “intermediate,” “transitional,” or “midway/moderate.”
As a noun, “in-between” is used creatively or playfully to refer to an intermediate state or period.
Between vs in between
Between and in between are generally interchangeable when used as prepositions to mean “between two physical points or locations” or “between two events or times” (e.g., “It’s between/in between the two houses,” “We can talk between/in between meetings”).
However, “between” is the better option in formal writing (e.g., academic writing). There are also some contexts where they are not interchangeable.
Use of between | Examples |
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For oppositions and comparisons such as differences, distinctions, competition, choices, relationships, similarities, connections and links |
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For numerical, time or age ranges |
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To mean share/divide among |
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Frequently asked questions about inbetween or in between
- What is a synonym for in between?
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Synonyms for the preposition in between include:
- Between
- In the middle of
- Midway
- Separating
- Among
On a related note, you can’t spell “in between” as either inbetween or in between—it’s always spelled as two words.
Have you tried Quillbot’s free Paraphraser? You can use it to help you find the best synonym for “in between” in your specific context.
- Is between a preposition?
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Yes, between typically functions as a preposition (e.g., “There were short breaks between the lectures”).
However, it is classified as an adverb when placed at the end of a phrase like this: “There were three lectures with some short breaks between.”
“Between” is often interchangeable with “in between,” but note that you can’t spell “in between” as either inbetween or in between—it’s always spelled as two words.
A QuillBot Grammar Check can help ensure you’re using words like “between” correctly.