Have you ever written “inbetween” as one word and then wondered if it’s actually correct? 🤔 Don’t worry — you’re not the only one. Many English learners and even native speakers often confuse “inbetween” and “in between.”
They sound identical, but only one of them is considered grammatically correct in standard English.
Although “inbetween” occasionally appears in casual or creative writing, the correct form in formal and everyday use is “in between.”
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between “inbetween” and “in between,” how to use them correctly, and when you might see the one-word version. Plus, we’ll share easy examples and memory tricks to make sure you never get them mixed up again!
What Does “In Between” Mean?
✅ “In between” (two words) is the correct and standard form.
It’s used as either:
- a preposition (showing position or relationship), or
- an adverb (describing where or when something happens).
1. Definition
In between means in the middle of two points, things, people, or times.
2. Examples
- “She sat in between her two best friends.”
- “There’s a small park in between those buildings.”
- “We’ll meet sometime in between lunch and dinner.”
🎯 Key Point:
Use “in between” to describe something that lies in the middle of two other things.
3. Grammar Function
| Part of Speech | Usage Example |
|---|---|
| Preposition | “The keys are in between the cushions.” |
| Adverb | “She couldn’t decide, so she stayed in between.” |
What Does “Inbetween” Mean?
❌ “Inbetween” (one word) is not standard English.
While you might occasionally spot it in informal writing or creative titles (like songs, books, or brands), it’s not accepted in formal grammar, dictionaries, or professional writing.
Examples (Incorrect in Formal English):
- ✖ “She sat inbetween her friends.”
- ✖ “He lives inbetween two big cities.”
✅ Corrected:
- “She sat in between her friends.”
- “He lives in between two big cities.”
Where “Inbetween” Appears Informally
You may find “inbetween” used as:
- a creative term in brand names or titles (e.g., The Inbetweeners TV show), or
- casual writing meant to sound playful or stylized.
📚 Example:
“It’s an inbetween kind of day — not too sunny, not too cloudy.”
Here, “inbetween” is being used like an adjective, and while it works stylistically, it’s not grammatically correct in standard English.
Key Differences Between “In Between” and “Inbetween”
| Feature | In Between | Inbetween |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical Status | ✅ Standard and correct | ❌ Non-standard |
| Part of Speech | Preposition / Adverb | Used informally as a noun/adjective |
| Meaning | In the middle of two things | Same idea, but incorrect form |
| Usage | Formal and informal writing | Creative or casual writing only |
| Example | “The shop is in between the library and café.” | “The shop is inbetween the library and café.” ❌ |
🎯 Rule:
Always use “in between” (two words) in professional, academic, or formal writing.
Real-Life Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Everyday Use
Sam: “I think we should meet inbetween breakfast and lunch.”
Lena: “Do you mean in between? The two-word version is correct.”
🎯 Lesson: “In between” is the proper, grammatically correct spelling.
Dialogue 2: Office Chat
Editor: “There’s a typo here — you wrote ‘inbetween.’”
Writer: “Oops! I’ll fix it to ‘in between.’ Thanks!”
🎯 Lesson: Always separate the words in formal writing.
Dialogue 3: Classroom
Student: “Why isn’t ‘inbetween’ one word?”
Teacher: “Because ‘in’ is a preposition and ‘between’ is another — together they form a phrase, not a single word.”
🎯 Lesson: “In between” is a phrase, not a compound word.
Fun Fact: Why It’s Two Words
The phrase “in between” dates back to Old English, combining the preposition in (meaning “within”) and betweonum (meaning “between”).
Over centuries, English kept it as two separate words because each still functions independently.
Even though we have many compound words today (like “into” or “inside”), “in between” never officially merged — and that’s why “inbetween” remains non-standard.
When to Use Each
| Situation | Use “In Between” | Use “Inbetween” |
|---|---|---|
| Academic writing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Business documents | ✅ | ❌ |
| Everyday speech | ✅ | Sometimes (informal) |
| Creative writing or titles | Occasionally | ✅ stylistically |
| Grammar exams | ✅ | ❌ |
🎯 Simple Rule:
✅ “In between” = grammatically correct everywhere.
⚠ “Inbetween” = stylistic or brand-specific only.
Examples in Sentences
✅ Correct:
- “The puppy hid in between the chairs.”
- “There’s a pause in between the songs.”
- “Keep some time in between meetings to relax.”
❌ Incorrect:
- “The puppy hid inbetween the chairs.”
- “Keep some time inbetween meetings to relax.”
How to Remember the Difference
🧠 1. Think of the two parts:
“In” + “between” → It’s literally something in between two things!
🧠 2. Grammar clue:
Both “in” and “between” are prepositions — you can’t join two prepositions into one word.
🧠 3. Visual Trick:
Imagine the space between “in” and “between” — that space is the “in between!” 😄
Conclusion
The correct form is always “in between” (two words).
While “inbetween” occasionally appears in creative contexts or informal speech, it’s not accepted in formal English grammar or dictionaries. Remember: both “in” and “between” are prepositions that work together — but never fuse into one word.
✅ Rule:
Always write “in between” in emails, essays, and professional writing.
So next time you’re caught in between two options, you’ll know exactly which spelling to choose! 😉
