What is Among?
Among is a word used to indicate the relationship between a group of three or more items. It is used when talking about a group of things that are separate but related. Among, also known as in the midst of, is used to express the idea of being in the middle of, surrounded by, or shared by a group.
For example, “There were three apples among the oranges.” In this sentence, “among” indicates that the three apples were in the group of oranges, but they were not part of the oranges.
When used as a preposition, among indicates a shared relationship between two or more items. When used as a verb, among means to divide into parts or to distribute. When used as an adverb, among means in the middle of or between. When used as a conjunction, among can indicate a relationship between two or more items.
When used to indicate location, among is used to describe where someone or something is situated. When used to indicate a direction, among is used to describe movement or the direction somebody or something is going in. When used to indicate belonging, among indicates that something is part of a larger group or category.
In all of these ways, among is a helpful word that is used to express the idea of being in the middle of, surrounded by, or shared by a group.
What is Amongst?
Amongst is an English word that has several meanings. It can be used as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb to indicate that something is being discussed or referred to concerning a group or multiple items.
Amongst is a conjunctive adverb that is used to join two independent clauses together. It implies a comparison between two or more items or entities. It can also indicate a choice between two or more options. Amongst can also be used to indicate a group of people or things.
For example, one might say, “The group was amongst the most talented in the school.” This implies that the group was one of the most talented in the school, but not necessarily the most talented.
As a preposition, amongst is used to indicate that something exists among a group of items or people. As a conjunction, amongst indicates that something is shared or common between multiple entities. As an adverb, amongst indicates that something is happening simultaneously or about multiple things.
Difference Between Among and Amongst
- Among is the more modern spelling of the word, while amongst is the older form.
- Among is used when referring to a group of people or things as a single entity, while amongst is used when referring to a group of people or things as individuals.
- Among is used to bring up an individual’s position or relationship in a group, while amongst is used to bring up an individual’s position or relationship within a group.
- Among is used to remark a relationship of inclusion or participation, while amongst is used to remark a relationship of separation or exclusion.
- Among is used to indicate a relationship of proximity or closeness, while amongst is used to indicate a relationship of distance or separation. Among is used to indicate a relationship of equality, while amongst is used to indicate a relationship of inequality.
Comparison Between Among and Amongst
| Parameters of comparison | Among | Amongst |
| Meaning | Indicates the relationship between a group of three or more items | Indicate that something is being discussed or referred |
| Commonly used | American English | British English |
| Parts of speech | Preposition | Adverb |
| Indicates | That something is shared by a group of people or things | That something is divided among a group of people or things |
| Refer | Used to refer to a group of more than two people or things | Used to refer to a group of three or more people or things. |