Certain words are commonly used in pairs; there will be additions to this list - with examples - over time.
Between-and: Between this and that. In general, between is used when two points exist and you make a reference to what is in between them.
For example: Five is between three and ten.
For a numeric or other type of range, from - to may be used: Let's count from 1 to 100 by fives. Or: It covers everything from "a" to "z".
Or, the context may be a physical span or direction: Hank has travelled from the east coast to the west coast.
Another use of between is when making a choice: Fred needs to decide between going to college and volunteering abroad.
It is INcorrect to say: Fred needs to decide between going to college or volunteering abroad.
Or is used in an either-or choice: Fred will be either going to college or volunteering abroad.
Alternatively, whether can be used when selecting between two choices or among more than two alternatives: Fred will decide whether to go to college or to volunteer abroad. Harold is deciding whether to go to college, join a rock band, or work for his dad.
Whether is used with the to infinitive: Fred is deciding whether to volunteer abroad.
Use if as a simple conditional: Fred needs to decide if he's going to enroll in college. He may prefer to volunteer abroad.
Between-and: Between this and that. In general, between is used when two points exist and you make a reference to what is in between them.
For example: Five is between three and ten.
For a numeric or other type of range, from - to may be used: Let's count from 1 to 100 by fives. Or: It covers everything from "a" to "z".
Or, the context may be a physical span or direction: Hank has travelled from the east coast to the west coast.
Another use of between is when making a choice: Fred needs to decide between going to college and volunteering abroad.
It is INcorrect to say: Fred needs to decide between going to college or volunteering abroad.
Or is used in an either-or choice: Fred will be either going to college or volunteering abroad.
Alternatively, whether can be used when selecting between two choices or among more than two alternatives: Fred will decide whether to go to college or to volunteer abroad. Harold is deciding whether to go to college, join a rock band, or work for his dad.
Whether is used with the to infinitive: Fred is deciding whether to volunteer abroad.
Use if as a simple conditional: Fred needs to decide if he's going to enroll in college. He may prefer to volunteer abroad.
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