In between is the standard form when you mean “between two things, places, times, or situations.” Inbetween written as one word is generally not the form you should use in ordinary English.
People often get confused because the phrase is pronounced as one smooth unit. You may also see in-between with a hyphen when it works as an adjective or noun.
This guide explains the difference between inbetween, in between, and in-between, with simple rules and examples. You will also learn how to use the expression in school, work, emails, conversations, and everyday writing.
inbetween or in between (Quick Answer )
In between is the correct choice in most sentences.
- Correct: There is a small park in between the two buildings.
- Correct: I had a meeting at 10 and lunch at 1, with a break in between.
Inbetween as one word is generally incorrect in standard English.
A third form, in-between, is used mainly as an adjective or noun when it means something intermediate or in the middle.
Inbetween vs In Between: Main Difference
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Correct? | Best Used For | Example |
| inbetween | Intended to mean “between” | ❌ Generally not standard | Avoid in normal writing | There is a shop inbetween the houses. |
| in between | In the space, time, or position separating two things | ✅ Yes | Everyday and formal English | The café is in between the bank and the library. |
| in-between | Intermediate or middle; sometimes a noun | ✅ Yes, in specific uses | Adjective or noun | She chose an in-between size. |
The important point is that in between and in-between are not simply different spellings of the same grammatical form. Their function in a sentence can be different. Merriam-Webster lists in-between as an adjective or noun, while in between functions as an adverb or preposition.
What Does In Between Mean?
In between means in the space, position, or period separating two things.
It can describe physical location, time, events, numbers, or situations. Cambridge Dictionary recognizes in between as a phrase used for something occurring between two times or events.
Examples
- The school is in between the hospital and the market.
- I usually drink tea in between meals.
- There is a short break in between the two classes.
- She sat in between her two friends.
- We stopped for coffee in between the two meetings.
You can also use in between without naming both things when the meaning is already clear:
- I have two appointments today, and I will call you in between.
- The movie was long, but there were no breaks in between.
The expression can refer to both space and time.
What Does Inbetween Mean?
Inbetween, as one word, is generally not the standard form for the ordinary phrase.
For example:
- ❌ The store is inbetween the bank and the hotel.
- ✅ The store is in between the bank and the hotel.
The confusion is understandable because English contains many words that combine naturally, such as inside, within, and between. However, standard dictionaries distinguish in between as a phrase from in-between as an adjective or noun.
If you are writing an essay, email, application, report, or school assignment, use in between, not inbetween.
How to Use In Between
Use in between when something is located, happens, or exists between two points, events, people, or things.
1. For physical position
- The pharmacy is in between the bank and the restaurant.
- A narrow road runs in between the two buildings.
2. For time
- I have classes at 9 and 11, with a break in between.
- Call me in between meetings.
3. For activities or events
- We had coffee in between the two sessions.
- She checked her phone in between tasks.
4. For a middle position
- Choose a number in between 10 and 20.
A useful rule is:
If you can replace the expression with “between” or “in the middle,” “in between” will often be appropriate.
Correct vs. Incorrect
Incorrect: The hotel is inbetween the airport and the station.
Correct: The hotel is in between the airport and the station.
Incorrect: I studied inbetween my classes.
Correct: I studied in between my classes.
Where to Use In Between
In between is suitable in almost every type of English.
School writing
- The character changes significantly in between these two events.
Formal writing
- The report examines the differences in between the two stages.
However, in some formal sentences, simply using between may sound more concise:
- The difference between the two methods is significant.
Emails
- I can review the document in between my meetings.
Everyday conversation
- What did you do in between lunch and dinner?
Messages
- I’ll call you in between classes.
Professional communication
- Please send the revised file in between the two scheduled meetings.
There is no special American-versus-British spelling rule here. In between is widely used in both American and British English. Cambridge lists the phrase in both its British and U.S. dictionary material.
Why People Get Confused
The main reason is pronunciation.
When people say in between, the words flow together:
in-between
This can make the phrase sound like one word. Writers may then spell it inbetween, even though the standard phrase is written as two words.
There is another source of confusion: in-between with a hyphen is also a real form.
For example:
- I need an in-between size.
- The situation left him in an in-between state.
Here, in-between describes something intermediate or between two clear states. Cambridge describes the adjective as referring to something between two recognized stages or states.
So remember that there are three visual forms, but they do not have the same job:
- inbetween → generally avoid
- in between → standard phrase
- in-between → adjective or noun in appropriate contexts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1
Wrong:
The library is inbetween the two schools.
Correct:
The library is in between the two schools.
Use two words when it is a normal phrase showing position.
Mistake 2
Wrong:
I will finish it inbetween my meetings.
Correct:
I will finish it in between my meetings.
The time expression is written as two words.
Mistake 3
Wrong:
She chose an in between option.
Better:
She chose an in-between option.
When the expression directly modifies a noun as an adjective, the hyphenated form can be appropriate. Merriam-Webster defines in-between as an adjective meaning “intermediate.”
Mistake 4
Wrong:
There was nothing inbetween the two events.
Correct:
There was nothing in between the two events.
Do not join the words simply because they sound connected.
Real-Life Examples
At a meeting:
I can speak to you in between the two sessions.
At school:
I usually review my notes in between classes.
While traveling:
We stopped at a small town in between the two cities.
At work:
She answered several emails in between meetings.
In a message:
I’ll send you the photos in between errands.
In conversation:
“Where were you in between college and your first job?”
For a booking:
There is a two-hour gap in between the flights.
For social situations:
He sat in between his brother and sister.
Easy Trick to Remember
Think of in between as in + between.
If you are talking about something being between two things, keep the words separate:
in + between = in between
Remember:
Between two things? Use two words: in between.
Use in-between only when the expression is acting as an adjective or noun.
Mini Quiz
Choose the correct form.
- The café is ___ the hotel and the station.
Answer: in between - I called her ___ classes.
Answer: in between - He selected an ___ size.
Answer: in-between - We stopped ___ the two cities.
Answer: in between - Is “inbetween” the standard spelling for the phrase?
Answer: No. - Which is correct: inbetween meetings or in between meetings?
Answer: in between meetings
Related Confusing Words
- gray or grey
- canceled or cancelled
- everyday or every day
- anytime or any time
- alright or all right
- maybe or may be
- setup or set up
- login or log in
FAQs About Inbetween or In Between
Is inbetween correct?
Inbetween as one word is generally not the standard spelling when you mean “between.” Use in between instead.
Is in between correct?
Yes. In between is the standard phrase for something located or happening between two things, times, places, or events.
What is the difference between inbetween and in between?
In between is the standard two-word phrase. Inbetween is generally not used as the standard form of that phrase.
When should I use in-between?
Use in-between when it functions as an adjective or noun meaning intermediate or middle.
- an in-between stage
- an in-between option
Merriam-Webster lists the hyphenated form as an adjective or noun.
Which form should I use in formal writing?
Use in between when you need the normal phrase. If you are using the expression as an adjective or noun, in-between may be appropriate. Avoid inbetween in careful formal writing.
Conclusion
In between is the correct standard phrase when you mean something is between two things, places, times, or events.
Inbetween should generally be avoided as a one-word spelling.
Use in-between when the expression works as an adjective or noun meaning “intermediate.”
The easiest rule is simple: between two things or times → in between.
References
Ava Collins is a passionate writer who enjoys turning everyday ideas into clear, engaging, and helpful content. She loves exploring language, culture and meaningful stories that connect with readers. Ava is also the fictional author of Beneath the Silver Maple and The Last Lantern of Willow Cove. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, traveling and finding inspiration in ordinary moments.