Among Vs Between

1. Compare the following: 

        a. S/he was sitting between Bunna and Vitou. 

            I saw something lying between the wheels of the train.

            Cambodia lies between Thailand, Vietnam and Lao. 

        b. We found a little house hidden among the trees. 

            S/he was standing laughing among a crowd of journalists. 

    We say that something is 'between' two or more objects, people, countries and so on when we see the surrounding objects and so on separately, there are not very many of them, and each one is clearly distinct from the others. 

    We say that something is 'among' a mass, a crowd, or a group: a collection of things when we do not see separately. 

    We prefer 'between' when we want to say that there are things, or groups of things, on two sides: 

        A little valley between high mountains. 

2. Words like 'divide' and 'share' are followed by 'between' when we use several singular nouns. 

        He shared his property between his wife, his daughter and his sister. 

        I divide my time between teaching, writing and lecturing. 

    With plural nouns, 'between' and 'among' are both possible. 

        S/he divided his money between/among his five sons. 

    We always talk about the difference 'between' things. 

        What's the difference between a crow and a rook? 

3. 'Among' can be used to mean 'one of', 'some of' or ' included in'. 

        Among the first to arrive was the Fantasian ambassador. 

        S/he has a number of criminals among his friends. 

Always

Typical mistakes: 

Always I ask myself what I am doing here. 

Never I find the answers. 

'Always' does not normally at the beginning of a sentence.' It's usually put with the verb, in same position as other frequency adverb. 'Never' goes in the same place. 

I always ask myself what I'm doing here. I never find the answer. 

But note that 'always' can be put at the beginning of imperative sentences. 

Always put on your safety belt when you drive. 

When 'always' mean 'all through the past until now', it is usually used with a present perfect tense. 

I've always believed he was innocent. 

You've always been my closest friend. 

Although Vs Though

Very often, both of these words can be used in the same way. 

They're a nice family, (al)though I don't like young Sander much. 

There one or two differences: 

1. 'Though' is more common in informal speech or writing. 'Although' can be used in all styles. Compare the following: 

Although the murder of the Archduke was the immediate cause of the First World War, the real reasons for the conflict were very much more complicated. 

I'd quite like to go out, (al)though it is a bit late. 

2. 'Though' is often used with 'even' to give emphasis. 'Even although' is not possible. 

Even though I didn't understand a word, I kept smiling. 

3. 'Though' (but not 'although') can be put at the end of a sentence, with the meaning of 'however'. 

It was a quiet party. I had a good time, though. 

In longer sentences, 'though' can also come in other position: 

The strongest argument, though, is Britain's economic and political dependence on the United States. 

In cases like these, 'though' is an adverb. 'Although' can only be used as a conjunction. 

Alternately Vs Alternatively

'Alternately' means 'first one and then the other', 'in turn'. 

I'm alternately happy and depressed. 

'Alternatively' is similar to 'instead', 'on the other hand'. 

It may have been because of the weather, or alternately it may have been the result of indigestion. 

'Also' Vs 'As well' Vs 'Too'

These three expressions have similar meanings, but they are used in slightly different ways in sentences. 

1. As well and too

These normally go at the end of a clause. 

S/he not only singes; s/he plays the piano as well. 

I was Thailand last summer too. 

'As well' and 'too' can refer to the subject or to other parts of the sentence, according to the situation. Consider the following: 

Mr. Bean teaches skiing as well. 

This could mean three different things: 

a. Other people teach skiing, and Mr. Bean does as well. 

b. Mr. Bean teaches other things and skiing as well. 

c. Mr. Bean does other things and teaches skiing as well. 

The situation normally makes the meaning clear in cases like this. In spoken English, the meaning is also shown by the emphasis (on third). 

'Too' (but not 'as well') can be placed directly after the subject. This is rather formal or literary. 

I, too, know where he is to be found. 

In an informal style, 'too' is often used after object pronouns in 'short answers'. 

'I've got an idea!' - 'Me too' (In more formal English: 'So have I!' or 'I have too!')

2. Also

In an informal style, 'also' is less common than 'too' and 'as well'. It is very common in written English. It does not come at the end of the clause but is normally put with the verb. 

Mr. Bean also plays the guitar. 

I've also read her other novels. 

'Also' can refer to any part of the sentence: 

Harry was at the party, and Fred was also there. 

I like classical music, but I also like jazz. 

However, 'also' most often refers to the part of the sentence that comes after the subject. So Mr. Bean also plays the guitar probably means 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other things', not 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other people'. If you want to say that you have had too, but probably not I also have done that or I have also done that. For the same reason, we don't say 'I also' in 'short answers'. To express the idea that something is exceptional, we use 'even', not 'also'. 

Even when he was every old he used to go for long walks (Not: Also when...). 

You shouldn't be rude, even if you are very angry (Not: ...also if...). 

Note the use of 'also' as a 'sentence-adverb', at the beginning of a sentence, with a common. 

Old cars are cheaper to buy, but they tend to use more petrol. 

Also, there is a greater risk of accidents. 

3. Note that 'also', as well' and 'too' are not normally used in negative sentences. Instead, we used 'not...either' or 'Neither/Nor'... Compare the following: 

He's there too.     He isn't there either. 

I do too.     Neither/Nor do I. 

I also want some coffee.     I don't want any coffee either. 

I like you as well.     I don't like you either. 

 

Already Vs All ready

'Already' means 'by now', 'sooner' than expected'. 

S/he's already here - I wasn't expecting her/him till ten. 

'All ready' is just a combination of the two words 'all' (= everybody or everything) and 'ready'. 

Are you all ready? 

Aloud Vs Loudly

'Loudly' is used (like 'loud') to talk about the strength of a noise. The opposite of 'loudly' is quietly'. 

When they are arguing, they talk so loudly that the people in the next flat can hear every word. 

'Aloud' is often used with the verbs 'read' and 'think', to say that words are spoken, not just 'said' silently in the head. 

S/he has a very good pronunciation when s/he read aloud. 

'What did you say?' - 'Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about.'