Quick answer: “In between” is correct.
“Inbetween” is not a standard or accepted spelling in modern English.
If you’ve ever paused while writing and wondered inbetween or in between, you’re not alone. This is a very common search because both versions appear online,
especially on social media and informal blogs. Writers, students, and even professionals want a fast, reliable answer they can trust.
The confusion exists because English has many compound words, and people naturally assume inbetween follows the same rule.
But English doesn’t always behave logically and that’s where mistakes happen.
This article solves that confusion clearly and completely. You’ll get a quick answer, real examples, spelling rules, regional usage, common mistakes, and practical advice you can apply immediately.
Everything is written to match user intent, follow modern Google algorithm expectations, and reflect EEAT (experience, expertise, authority, and trust).
Let’s break it down in plain, simple English.
Inbetween or In Between – Quick Answer
✔ In between (correct)
✘ Inbetween (incorrect)
In between is a two-word prepositional phrase used to describe something located or happening in the middle of two things.
Examples:
- She sat in between her parents.
- There’s a break in between meetings.
- The café is in between the library and the bank.
Inbetween is not recognized as a standard English word and should be avoided in formal, academic, and SEO writing.
The Origin of “In Between”
The phrase in between comes from Old and Middle English, where “between” functioned as a preposition meaning in the middle of two points.
The word “in” was added to emphasize position or state.
Unlike words such as inside or within, in between never evolved into a closed compound. Language usage over time kept it as two separate words.
This historical usage explains why spelling differences don’t exist here English simply never adopted inbetween as a correct form.
British English vs American English Spelling
Here’s the good news:
There is no difference between British and American English for this phrase.
| Variant | British English | American English |
| in between | ✅ Correct | ✅ Correct |
| inbetween | ❌ Incorrect | ❌ Incorrect |
| in-between | ❌ Incorrect | ❌ Incorrect |
No regional spelling rules apply. Both dialects agree completely.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your audience doesn’t matter here, the rule is universal.
- US audience: use in between
- UK & Commonwealth: use in between
- Global or ESL readers: use in between
If your goal is clarity, professionalism, and SEO safety, “in between” is the only choice.
Common Mistakes with In Between
Here are frequent errors writers make:
❌ He sat inbetween us.
✔ He sat in between us.
❌ There’s a gap in-between chapters.
✔ There’s a gap in between chapters.
❌ She felt inbetween jobs.
✔ She felt in between jobs.
These small mistakes can lower content quality and credibility something Google’s quality signals take seriously.
In Between in Everyday Examples
Emails:
- “There’s some time in between our calls.”
News:
- “Negotiations stalled in between policy changes.”
Social Media:
- “Life feels in between chapters right now.”
Formal Writing:
- “A buffer period exists in between the two phases.”
The phrase works naturally across all writing styles.
Inbetween or In Between: Trends & Usage
Search behavior shows that people frequently type “inbetween or in between” because they want confirmation, not theory. The incorrect form appears mostly in informal writing and user-generated content.
Search engines prioritize correct, authoritative usage. Content that clearly explains the difference and avoids reinforcing incorrect spellings aligns better with Google’s helpful content system.
In short: people search for the mistake, but Google rewards the correction.
Comparison Table: Inbetween vs In Between
| Form | Correct? | Usage |
| in between | ✅ Yes | Formal, informal, SEO |
| inbetween | ❌ No | Misspelling |
| in-between | ❌ No | Incorrect hyphenation |
FAQs:
1. Is “inbetween” ever correct?
No. It’s not standard English.
2. Is “in between” one word or two?
Always two words.
3. Can I hyphenate in between?
No. Hyphenation is incorrect.
4. Does British English use a different spelling?
No. Both British and American English use in between.
5. Why do people write inbetween?
Because English has many compound words, causing confusion.
6. Is in between formal or informal?
It works in both contexts.
7. Can using inbetween hurt SEO?
Yes. It can reduce content quality and trust signals.
Conclusion :
The answer is simple and consistent: “in between” is correct, and “inbetween” is not. There are no regional differences, no exceptions, and no stylistic alternatives that change this rule.
If you want your writing to sound clear, professional, and trustworthy whether it’s an email, article, or web page stick with in between every time.
This aligns with reader expectations, language standards, and modern search engine quality guidelines.
When users search inbetween or in between, they want certainty.
Now you have it. Keep it to two words, keep it clean, and you’ll never second-guess this phrase again.
I’m Jane Austen, a writer at Wordorae.com, where I focus on explaining grammar mistakes and confusing English words in a clear, simple way.
I help readers improve their writing by making tricky language rules easy to understand and use.
