Among or amongst – which form is correct?
Among or amongst? If truth be told, both forms are correct! Then what’s the difference between among and amongst except the spelling and pronunciation? Let’s address this dilemma!
Among or amongst? What do among and amongst mean?
Both among and amongst are prepositions used to emphasize that something occurs in the middle or is a part of another thing. They can be used interchangeably, as there is no difference in meaning.
Among and amongst – what’s the difference?
The form among dates back to the Old English times, while amongst came into use around the 12th century with the formation of Middle English. Nowadays, by and large, among is used more often than amongst. The former is considered more popular among American speakers, whereas the latter appears more frequently amongst the British. Moreover, the expression amongst is considered rather outdated.
What are the synonyms of the words among and amongst?
Among them are:
- in the middle of,
- between,
- together with,
- out of.
Among or amongst? Now it is all clear! Examples from literature
Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Are you aware, Colonel Arbuthnot, that you are the only man amongst the passengers in the Stamboul-Calais carriage who smokes a pipe?
Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express
All of them had felt that they had lost their closest friend in Heidi, the one person whom they could confide in, the one who was the strongest among their friends.
Harlan Coben, The Stranger
New England’s famous Fireside Poet was the first American to translate The Divine Comedy, his translation remaining among the most respected and widely read to this day.
Dan Brown, Inferno
