Deciding between among vs amongst might seem tricky, but you shouldn’t sweat over these terms. Both mean “surrounded by” or “in a group,” and you can use them interchangeably in meaning. However, “among” is more common, whereas “amongst” is mostly reserved in formal writing.
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What Is Among?
Among is a preposition that means “in the midst of” or “part of a bigger group.” For instance, saying, “I was among friends when our final exam results were announced,” implies you were in the company of several friends, not just one or two.
You can also use “among” to describe a central position relative to other things in a group or surrounded by, such as, “The Governor’s office is situated among the trees.”
Examples:
- The money was divided among the thieves.
- The decision was made among the nine committee members after several hours of heated discussion.
- American readers were among the top fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
- The team celebrated their hard-earned success among close friends and supportive family members.
- Among other things, the new Government hopes to build resilient bilateral relationships.
- He was among the students sent home for disciplinary issues.
- I found the book hidden among the stack of magazines.
What Is Amongst?
Amongst, just like among, is a preposition that means “part of a bigger group.” You can also use it to mean “surrounded by” or even “occurring in.”
Fun Fact: Amongst originated from Middle English and is the older version of the word ‘among.’
Examples:
- She found clarity amongst the confusion of the crowd.
- The prize was shared amongst the top companies.
- The apostles felt at ease amongst the towering trees and forest’s silence.
- The argument resonated the most amongst the varied opinions shared during the discussion.
- Amongst the city’s noise, the guardian found a quiet corner to think.
- It’s an honor to be among such esteemed British writers.
What Is the Difference Between Among and Amongst?
When comparing among vs. amongst, the primary difference lies in their usage and tone rather than meaning.
“Among” is more common in modern English, especially in American English, and you’re likely to see it in both speech and writing. On the other hand, you won’t hear “amongst” that much in casual conversations. It pops up more in formal writing or genres that follow a more sophisticated writing style, such as poems. “Amongst” is more common in British English.
When and How to Use Among or Amongst?
You should use “among” or “amongst” to refer to more than two people or things or when considering things collectively as a group. For example, it is correct to say, “We divided the money among ourselves.” Don’t forget that “among” or “amongst” can also mean to be surrounded by.
Since “among” and “amongst” are prepositions, you should use them before a noun, pronoun, or phrase. For instance:
- “The couple discussed among/amongst themselves.” [Precedes a pronoun]
- “The King divided the Kingdom among/amongst his sons.” [Comes after a noun]
Which One Should You Use?
When choosing between among vs amongst, among is the better option because it is more common and works well in both casual and formal contexts across all English dialects. However, if you’re targeting a British audience or writing poems and other stylistic purposes that require a more formal or archaic tone, amongst is a better fit.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately the choice between among vs amongst comes down to how you wish to convey your tone or level of formality and your audience’s English dialect.
You should use ‘among’ when you want to keep things modern or when writing for Americans. Save amongst for moments that call for a more formal or old-fashioned tone, like poetry and drama, or when addressing a British audience. While both are correct and interchangeable, how you use them shapes the tone of your story.
