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Between Themselves

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Decoding "Between Themselves": Understanding the Nuances of Private Communication



The phrase "between themselves" subtly yet powerfully conveys the exclusivity of communication. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of this seemingly simple phrase, exploring its grammatical function, contextual implications, and the subtle differences it carries when compared to similar expressions. We'll unravel its usage in various contexts, highlighting the nuances that often get overlooked, and ultimately providing a clear understanding of its precise meaning and appropriate application.

Grammatical Structure and Function



"Between themselves" is a prepositional phrase. "Between" acts as a preposition, indicating a relationship involving two or more entities. "Themselves" is a reflexive pronoun, signifying that the action or communication is reciprocal and confined to the individuals involved. Grammatically, this phrase typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another phrase, describing how an action or state is confined to a specific group. For example:

Verb Modification: "The siblings argued between themselves all afternoon." (The argument was confined to the siblings.)
Adjective Modification: "The matter was settled between themselves amicably." (The settlement was exclusive to the involved parties.)

This structure implies a closed loop of communication, excluding external participants.

Contextual Implications and Nuances



The meaning of "between themselves" is heavily influenced by context. It often suggests:

Privacy: The most common implication is that the communication is private and intended for the ears of those involved only. For example: "The committee members discussed the budget between themselves before presenting it to the board."
Exclusivity: It implies that others are deliberately excluded from the discussion or interaction. For example: "The two companies negotiated a merger between themselves, without any outside involvement."
Mutual Understanding: The phrase can suggest a shared understanding or agreement reached within the group. For example: "They sorted out their differences between themselves and resumed their partnership."
Internal Resolution: It highlights that a problem or issue is handled internally within a specific group. Example: "The team resolved the conflict between themselves without needing management intervention."


Comparison with Similar Phrases



While phrases like "among themselves" or "amongst themselves" might seem interchangeable, there's a key difference. "Between" typically refers to interactions involving two entities, while "among" or "amongst" is used for three or more. However, in informal settings, "between" is often used loosely for more than two entities. The choice impacts the precision of the message. Using "among themselves" to describe a conversation between two people is grammatically incorrect, though often tolerated in casual speech.


Practical Examples and Usage in Different Contexts



Let's explore a few examples illustrating the diverse uses of "between themselves":

Legal Context: "The parties agreed to settle the dispute between themselves outside of court." This emphasizes a private resolution without judicial intervention.
Business Context: "The shareholders decided between themselves to invest further in the project." This underlines the autonomous decision-making within the shareholder group.
Family Context: "The siblings shared their childhood memories between themselves." This implies a private, intimate exchange.
Political Context: "The two factions negotiated a compromise between themselves, avoiding a public clash." This showcases a private resolution to avoid broader political fallout.


Conclusion



The phrase "between themselves" is a concise yet powerful tool that elegantly conveys the private and exclusive nature of communication or interaction within a specific group. Understanding its grammatical structure, contextual implications, and subtle differences from similar phrases allows for precise and effective communication. Using it correctly enriches writing and strengthens the clarity of the message.


FAQs



1. Can "between themselves" be used for more than two people? While grammatically "among themselves" is more accurate for more than two, "between themselves" is often used informally for groups larger than two.

2. Is "between themselves" always about secrets? No, it simply indicates a private or exclusive interaction; it doesn't automatically imply secrecy or concealment.

3. What's the difference between "between themselves" and "among themselves"? "Between" usually implies two entities, while "among" implies three or more.

4. Can "between themselves" be used in formal writing? Yes, it's perfectly acceptable in formal writing as long as it is used appropriately and accurately reflects the context.

5. Is there a more formal way to express the same idea? Alternatives include "among themselves," "within the group," "in private," or "exclusively amongst themselves," depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

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between/among themselves - WordReference Forums 11 Mar 2014 · 'Between' we normally use when reffering to two things or two people. If it is more than two people or things we use 'among'. So 'among' is the correct answer, unless it's a two piece orchesta ( only two band members.)

Themselves vs Themself ? What is the difference? Themselves is correct and a reflexive pronoun in English. Themself is only used in English when “they” is singular. They need to bake the cake themselves. Themselves is the reflexive pronoun for the pronoun “they”. We use a pronoun in place of a …

12 Between themselves Synonyms. Similar words for Between themselves. 12 Between themselves synonyms. What are another words for Between themselves? Confidentially, privately, in private, in confidence. Full list of synonyms for Between themselves is here.

19 Synonyms & Antonyms for BETWEEN OURSELVES Find 19 different ways to say BETWEEN OURSELVES, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

Synonyms for Between yourselves - Power Thesaurus Synonyms for Between Yourselves (other words and phrases for Between Yourselves).

12 AMONGST THEMSELVES Synonyms - Power Thesaurus Another way to say Amongst Themselves? Synonyms for Amongst Themselves (other words and phrases for Amongst Themselves).

BETWEEN OURSELVES - 17 Synonyms and Antonyms These are words and phrases related to between ourselves. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page.

Themselves vs Themself ? What Is the Difference? - Two Minute … 28 Mar 2024 · The main difference between themselves and themself lies in how we use them to match the subject’s number. Themselves is the traditional pronoun we use when talking about two or more people, animals, or things. For example, “The kids cleaned the room themselves.”

Between them or themselves - WordReference Forums 17 May 2015 · Yes, we say "between them" to mean "in total" and "between themselves" to say "excluding others". India and China agreed among/between themselves to play a bigger role in Asia.

Themself Or Themselves: Differences + Examples + Usage 30 Oct 2024 · Understanding the difference between “themself” and “themselves” helps writers communicate in a way that respects both standard grammar rules and the evolving landscape of inclusive language. Let’s break down their uses, origins, and …

Difference between ourselves, yourselves and themselves 25 Aug 2015 · Ourselves, yourselves and themselves are known as reflexive pronouns. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object refer to same person or thing. My son likes to play himself without my help.

between themselves | English examples in context | Ludwig High quality example sentences with “between themselves” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig, your English writing platform

as between themselves | English examples in context | Ludwig High quality example sentences with “as between themselves” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English

Synonyms for Between themselves - Power Thesaurus Synonyms for Between Themselves (other words and phrases for Between Themselves).

How do elderly people see themselves? - evidence.nihr.ac.uk 18 Jul 2023 · Interviewees saw themselves as largely content and, despite their world becoming smaller, found pleasure in small routines. People often reflected on past achievements, to create a sense of self. They believed that accepting the realities of getting older, rather than focusing on what had been lost, was the key to happiness: “ Your senses get older and they deteriorate.

Themself Or Themselves: Differences + Examples + Usage [2025] 16 Feb 2024 · The differences between “themself” and “themselves” in terms of usage primarily lie in their acceptance and formality in the English language. “Themselves” is the more widely accepted and standard form of the reflexive pronoun used to refer to a group of people or a singular individual in a gender-neutral manner.

Veteran suicides: Inside the battle between families and the VA … 19 Mar 2025 · Editor’s Note: This story involves discussion about veteran suicide that some readers may find upsetting. If you feel you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 24-hour Suicide Crisis ...

OSDH Reports Additional Measles Cases - Oklahoma.gov 27 Feb 2025 · Possibly exposed individuals who are not immune through vaccination or prior infection should exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days from the date of their potential exposure. Additionally, if anyone is experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever and/or a new rash illness and has visited any of these locations during the identified timeframe, they should …

Between them and between themselves - WordReference Forums 4 Jan 2016 · Some use reflexives (we talked about ourselves) and others don't (we held a rope between us), and the same preposition sometimes does and sometimes doesn't (I spilt wine over myself; I've got an umbrella over me).

12 Between yourselves Synonyms. Similar words for Between … 12 Between yourselves synonyms. What are another words for Between yourselves? Confidentially, privately, in private, in confidence. Full list of synonyms for Between yourselves is here.

Themself or Themselves: Guide on Usage, Differences 8 Nov 2024 · In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the distinction between “themself” and “themselves,” focusing on the contexts in which each is appropriate, the rules governing their usage, examples, and how these pronouns fit into the broader discussion of …

Gen Z men and women most divided on gender ... - King's … 5 Mar 2025 · The study, based on a survey of nearly 24,000 people across 30 nations, also finds that although people perceive less tension between men and women than between other groups in society – such as rich and poor people – Gen Z are more likely than older age generations to feel there is tension between genders in their country.

What is another word for between themselves - WordHippo Need synonyms for between themselves? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. “The latter approach would enable States to agree on an improved protection regime between themselves without the formal acceptance of all States Parties to the Hague Convention.” Find more words!

3 Telltale Signs of "Enmeshment" in a Relationship 31 Mar 2025 · The researchers also discuss ways people can assert themselves effectively, such as: Making precise offers in negotiations instead of vague demands. Providing rational explanations when making ...

between them / themselves - WordReference Forums 1 Mar 2011 · Some take one, same take the other, some allow both, sometimes it depends on the exact meaning ('They kept it a secret between them/themselves'). There is often no good reason, just idiom. But: "They shared the food equally between themselves'. Am I right? Or 'between them'. Both are possible there.