among/between

"Let's just keep this secret between the members of the team." Ever been hit with this one before? Well, I don't have to tell you, it's wrong. . .unless, of course, you're referring to the world's smallest team.

Yes, I know, two people can make up a team -- tennis, ping pong, lawn darts, Scrabble -- I know. However, if there are, indeed, only two people on the team and they both know the secret, they don't have to agree with each other to keep it a secret with all team members. Make sense? It didn't to me, either.

Here's the easier way to explain it. Use the word "between" when referring to only two things. That means if you say your dog is lying among the trees, you better check on Fido because he's spread out around three or more trees. If your pooch is, indeed, healthy, this is a physical impossibility.

"Among" is used when referencing three or more things. Going back to our earlier example, if there are more than three people on the team, you are keeping the secret "among" all team members.

Since many people are probably unaware of this one, let's keep it between you and me, unless you want to spread it among your friends. See, I was nice enough to assume you had more than two friends.

I'm not that bad.