What Does “Come between sb and sb” Mean?
“Come between sb and sb” means to cause a disagreement or separation between two people, often affecting their relationship negatively.
Introduction
The phrase “come between sb and sb” is a common English expression used to describe situations where something or someone causes conflict or distance between two people. Understanding the come between sb and sb meaning helps learners express how relationships can be affected by outside influences. It is often used when talking about friendships, family bonds, or romantic relationships that experience tension due to interference. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversation and writing, helping you explain delicate social situations clearly and naturally.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come between somebody and somebody
- Type: Inseparable
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To cause a problem or distance between two people
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Come between sb and sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate “come” and “between” with an object. The typical pattern is:
- Come between + person 1 + and + person 2
Example: Jealousy came between the two friends.
How to Use “Come between sb and sb”?
You use this phrase to describe when something or someone causes trouble or conflict that damages a relationship. It often refers to emotional or social interference. For example, a third person might “come between” a couple, or a misunderstanding could “come between” best friends.
It usually appears in past or present simple tense but can be used in various tenses depending on the context.
Examples
- Don’t let work come between you and your family.
- His lies came between him and his closest friends.
- The argument came between the siblings and made them stop talking.
- She never wanted money to come between her and her husband.
- Jealousy can come between even the strongest relationships.
These examples show how you can use “come between sb and sb in a sentence” naturally.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She came between me and my sister the problem.
- Correct: She came between me and my sister.
- Incorrect: Don’t come between the friends and.
- Correct: Don’t come between the friends.
Remember, the phrase must include two people connected by “and,” and it is not separated by other words.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “interfere with” and “get between.” However, “come between sb and sb” specifically focuses on causing a problem or distance between two people.
- Come between sb and sb: Causes conflict or separation between two people.
- Interfere with: To interrupt or disturb something, not always a relationship.
- Get between sb and sb: Similar to “come between,” but can imply physically or emotionally placing oneself in the middle.
Common Collocations
- Come between friends
- Come between family members
- Come between couples
- Come between relationships
- Come between colleagues
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come between sb and sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I feel like work is coming between me and my partner.
Ben: That happens a lot. You should try to spend more quality time together.
Anna: Yes, I don’t want my job to come between us.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase:
Jealousy can often ________ best friends and cause misunderstandings.
- a) come between
- b) come across
- c) come up with
Answer: a) come between
FAQs
- Q: Can “come between sb and sb” be used for things, not just people?
A: It usually refers to people but can include things like problems or feelings. - Q: Is “come between” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. - Q: Can it be used in negative sentences?
A: Yes, e.g., “Don’t let anything come between you and your friends.” - Q: What is the difference between “come between” and “get between”?
A: “Come between” focuses on causing conflict, while “get between” can be more physical or emotional interference.
