Have you ever paused while writing and wondered whether to type inbetween or in between? You’re not alone. This is one of the most commonly confused words in English, and even experienced writers second-guess it. The confusion comes from English spelling rules, fast typing habits, and the way we speak in everyday conversation.
Many people search this topic because they want grammatical correctness, better writing clarity tips, and confidence in their proper word usage English. Others are unsure about hyphen usage in English, especially when they see forms like in-between used as a compound adjective.
This guide clears it up quickly and simply. You’ll learn the correct spelling, when to use each form, how preposition between usage works, and how to avoid common grammar mistakes in writing. By the end, you’ll know exactly which version fits your sentence and audience.
Inbetween or In Between – Quick Answer
✅ In between (two words) is correct in most cases.
❌ Inbetween (one word) is a misspelling and should not be used.
✅ In-between (hyphenated) is correct only as a hyphenated compound adjective before a noun.
Examples
- ✔ I sat in between the two chairs.
- ✔ She is in the awkward in-between stage.
- ✘ He stood inbetween the doors.
Simple rule
- Use in between → normal phrase
- Use in-between → before a noun (adjective)
- Avoid inbetween → incorrect word form variation
This follows standard English grammar rules and style guide recommendations.
The Origin of Inbetween or In Between
Understanding the history helps explain the confusion.
The word between comes from Old English betwēonum, meaning “in the middle of two.” Over time, writers added the preposition in to form the phrase in between, which functions as an adverb or part of a prepositional phrase.
Because English often creates word form variations, some writers mistakenly merged the phrase into inbetween. However, dictionaries and standard English conventions never accepted it as one word.
The hyphenated form in-between appeared later as part of normal punctuation and hyphen rules for forming a compound adjective.
Why the confusion exists
- Fast typing habits
- Informal speech patterns
- Unclear understanding of parts of speech examples
- Mixing formal vs informal usage
Remember: the correct spelling of in between remains two words unless it modifies a noun.
British English vs American English Spelling
Good news: there is no spelling difference between British and American English for this term. Both follow the same English grammar between vs in between rules.
Key comparison
| Usage Type | American English | British English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard phrase | in between | in between | Sit in between them. |
| Compound adjective | in-between | in-between | The in-between stage |
| Single word | ❌ inbetween | ❌ inbetween | Incorrect everywhere |
Important note
Unlike many commonly confused words in English, this is not a US vs UK issue. It is purely about grammatical correctness and correct word choice English.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your audience determines the best choice.
🇺🇸 US audience
- Use in between in normal writing
- Use in-between as an adjective
- Follow common academic writing tips and writing best practices
🇬🇧 UK & Commonwealth audience
- Same rules apply
- Follow standard English conventions
- Maintain careful proofreading and editing
🌍 Global or online audience
Safest choice:
- Default to in between
- Use in-between only before nouns
- Never use inbetween
This approach ensures strong sentence structure and clear semantic meaning.
Common Mistakes with Inbetween or In Between
Here are frequent errors and how to fix them.
❌ Mistake 1: Writing it as one word
Wrong: inbetween
Right: in between
Fix: Always separate the words.
❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting the hyphen in adjectives
Wrong: the in between phase
Right: the in-between phase
This follows hyphen usage in English rules.
❌ Mistake 3: Overusing “in” with between
Some writers misuse between vs in between.
Wrong: Put the table in between the walls (sometimes redundant)
Better: Put the table between the walls
This helps avoid redundancy in English.
❌ Mistake 4: Misunderstanding parts of speech
Writers mix up adverb vs preposition examples.
- In between → adverb or phrase
- In-between → adjective
❌ Mistake 5: Ignoring context
Poor contextual usage leads to awkward sentences. Always check function before choosing the spelling.
Inbetween or In Between in Everyday Examples
Here are real-world uses across contexts.
Please schedule the meeting in between lunch and the client call.
📰 News writing
The country is stuck in an economic in-between phase.
📱 Social media
Feeling in between jobs right now.
🎓 Formal writing
The data points fall in between the expected range.
🗣️ With phrasal verbs
In some phrasal verb examples, the words appear close together:
The car pulled in between two trucks.
Always check the preposition between usage and function.
Inbetween or In Between – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search behavior shows clear patterns.
🌎 Popularity by region
- United States → mostly searches “in between”
- United Kingdom → same dominant form
- India & Pakistan → high searches for “is inbetween one word”
- Global learners → confusion around in between vs in-between
📊 Usage insight
- In between → overwhelmingly dominant
- In-between → common in edited writing
- Inbetween → appears mainly as a spelling error
This reflects standard writing best practices and modern English grammar rules.
Comparison Table: Keyword Variations
| Form | Correct? | Part of Speech | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in between | ✅ Yes | Adverb/phrase | Most situations | Sit in between us |
| in-between | ✅ Yes | Compound adjective | Before noun | in-between stage |
| inbetween | ❌ No | — | Never | Incorrect |
FAQs
Which is correct, inbetween or in between?
“In between” is correct; “inbetween” is a misspelling and should not be used.
Does “inbetween” mean in the middle?
People use it to mean “in the middle,” but the correct form is “in between.”
Is “inbetween” a single word?
No. Standard English writes it as two words: “in between.”
Is “inbetween” not a word?
Correct—it is not accepted in standard dictionaries and is considered a spelling error.
Why isn’t inbetween one word?
Because “in” and “between” function as separate words in English grammar, except when hyphenated as the adjective “in-between.”
Is it somewhere in between or inbetween?
The correct phrase is “somewhere in between.”
Conclusion
The confusion between inbetween or in between is common, but the rule is simple once you understand it. In standard English, in between should almost always appear as two separate words. The single-word form inbetween is a spelling error and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. The only variation you need to remember is the hyphenated in-between, which works as a compound adjective placed before a noun.
Writers often struggle with this because of speech habits, fast typing, and uncertainty about parts of speech. But following basic English grammar rules, checking contextual usage, and applying proper hyphen usage in English will keep your writing clear and professional. When in doubt, default to in between, proofread carefully, and focus on grammatical correctness. Mastering small details like this improves clarity, credibility, and overall writing quality across emails, academic work, and everyday communication.
