Difference Between Among and Amongst

Among and amongst are two prepositions in the English language that are often used interchangeably. Both words indicate a sense of being surrounded or included within a group or category. However, while these two words share similar meanings, there are subtle differences in their usage.

"Among" is the more commonly used word, and it is typically used to indicate a sense of being in the midst of something or someone. It can be used to describe a physical location, such as being among a group of people, or a non-physical concept, such as being among the most popular websites on the internet. "Amongst," on the other hand, is a slightly more formal and archaic version of "among." It is still used in some contexts, particularly in British English, but it is generally considered to be less common than "among."

What Is Among?

"Among" is a preposition in the English language that indicates a sense of being surrounded by, included within, or in the midst of something or someone. It is used to describe the relationship between a subject and a group or category of objects or individuals.

For example, if you are in a crowded room, you might say that you are among the other people in the room. Similarly, if you are discussing a group of items, you might say that one item is among the others, indicating its position in the group. "Among" can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as being among the most popular websites on the internet or among the best in your profession. Overall, "among" is a versatile preposition that is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What Is Amongst?

"Amongst" is a variant spelling of the preposition "among" in the English language. Both words share the same meaning and are used interchangeably to indicate a sense of being surrounded by, included within, or in the midst of something or someone.

While "amongst" is less commonly used than "among" in modern English, it is still used in some contexts, particularly in British English. Some people consider "amongst" to be a more formal or archaic version of "among," and it may be preferred in certain formal or literary contexts. However, in most cases, "among" and "amongst" can be used interchangeably without any difference in meaning.

What's the Difference Between Among and Amongst?

"Among" and "amongst" are two words that share similar meanings and are often used interchangeably. However, there are a few subtle differences in their usage:

Usage: "Among" is more commonly used in both American and British English. "Amongst" is less commonly used in American English, but it is still used in British English, particularly in formal or literary contexts.
Tone: Some people consider "amongst" to be more formal or archaic than "among." Therefore, if you're aiming for a more formal tone, "amongst" may be a better choice.
Syntax: In terms of syntax, "amongst" is a bit more flexible than "among." For example, "amongst" can be used as a preposition or an adverb, while "among" is strictly a preposition.

Overall, the difference between "among" and "amongst" is relatively minor. Both words are used to indicate a sense of being surrounded by or included within a group or category, and they can generally be used interchangeably without any significant difference in meaning.

What's the Relationship Between Among and Amongst?

"Among" and "amongst" are related words in the English language that share the same meaning and are often used interchangeably. In fact, "amongst" is a variant spelling of "among" that originated in Middle English.

Over time, the spelling of "among" gradually became more common in both American and British English, while "amongst" remained more prevalent in British English, particularly in formal or literary contexts. However, both words are still recognized and accepted in modern English, and they can be used interchangeably without any significant difference in meaning.

Therefore, the relationship between "among" and "amongst" can be described as one of historical evolution and regional preference, with both words ultimately serving the same purpose in the English language.

What Is the Similarities Between Among and Amongst?

"Among" and "amongst" are two words in the English language that share many similarities, including:

Meaning: Both words indicate a sense of being surrounded by or included within a group or category.
Usage: Both words are prepositions that can be used to describe the relationship between a subject and a group of objects or individuals.
Interchangeability: Both words are often used interchangeably, and they can be used in the same context without any significant difference in meaning.
Origin: "Amongst" is a variant spelling of "among" that originated in Middle English, and both words have been in use for many centuries.

Overall, the similarities between "among" and "amongst" suggest that they are two words that ultimately serve the same purpose in the English language, with only minor differences in usage and regional preference.

Table of Comparison

	Among	Amongst
Definition	Surrounded by or included within a group or category	Surrounded by or included within a group or category
Usage	Preposition used to describe the relationship between a subject and a group of objects or individuals	Preposition used to describe the relationship between a subject and a group of objects or individuals
Interchangeable	Often used interchangeably with "amongst"	Often used interchangeably with "among"
Origin	Old English	Middle English
Formality	Considered slightly less formal than "amongst"	Considered slightly more formal than "among"
Regional Use	Common in both American and British English	More commonly used in British English, particularly in formal or literary contexts

Overall, "among" and "amongst" share many similarities in meaning and usage, but there are some subtle differences in their origins, formality, and regional use. However, in most cases, these differences are not significant enough to affect their interchangeability in everyday usage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "among" and "amongst" are two words in the English language that share similar meanings and are often used interchangeably. Both words indicate a sense of being surrounded by or included within a group or category and can be used to describe the relationship between a subject and a group of objects or individuals.

While "among" is more commonly used in both American and British English, "amongst" is still used in British English, particularly in formal or literary contexts. Some people consider "amongst" to be slightly more formal or archaic than "among." However, in most cases, these words can be used interchangeably without any significant difference in meaning.

Overall, the relationship between "among" and "amongst" is one of historical evolution and regional preference, with both words ultimately serving the same purpose in the English language.