amidst

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “amidst” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where something is happening in the middle of or surrounded by other things. For example, “The couple found solace amidst the chaos of the city.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last month, amidst a severe lightning storm during the Honda Classic golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a dozen caddies huddled at the back of an exposed, three-sided metal tent, trying not to get wet and hoping they hadn't just made the stupidest decision of their lives.

The Guardian - Sport

You have to be robust to hold your own amidst the alpha males and females.

The Guardian

One of the buildings' common areas has a pile of litter; a resident who's showing me around says, "People here have lived amidst garbage.

The Guardian

Disinterred bones, dropped by neglectful gravediggers, lay scattered amidst the tombstones; smashed coffins were sold to the poor for firewood.

The Guardian

Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery and chairman of the judges, called Chancellor's image "a powerful and beautiful portrait, a worthy winner amidst a strong international submission".

The Guardian - Arts

Thousands of desperate Syrians remain stuck inside Syria on the Turkish and Iraqi borders amidst mounting insecurity and with winter fast approaching.

The Guardian

But amidst all the celebrations, he too remained coy over his future.

The Guardian - Sport

With government revenues reeling from the slump in oil prices and a fast-growing population expected to reach 210 million by 2020 amidst high unemployment, Buhari will have his work cut out.

The Guardian - Opinion

The complex sits amidst fixtures in a struggling neighborhood: a medical clinic, takeout places, a movie theater, a charter school.

The Guardian

For the man being miraculously healed by a priest amidst the human drama of the Rialto bridge has been taken over by a demon.

The Guardian

They keep the house in order in hope of Gomes's return – a hope that still exists amidst the uncertainty and fear that surrounds his disappearance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amidst", ensure it is followed by a noun or noun phrase that clearly defines what is being surrounded. For example, "Amidst the crowd" or "Amidst the confusion".

Common error

Avoid using "amidst" in very casual or informal writing. The word can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday conversation or relaxed writing styles. Opt for simpler alternatives like "among" or "in the middle of" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The preposition "amidst" indicates location or position, specifically being surrounded or enveloped by something. It functions to set the scene or context of an action or state, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples where events occur "amidst" specific conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amidst" is a preposition used to indicate something is surrounded by or in the middle of something else. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. It conveys a slightly more formal tone and can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "among" or "in the middle of" in informal contexts. While versatile, be mindful of overuse in casual settings to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the middle of

Replaces "amidst" with a more common and straightforward expression.

surrounded by

Focuses on the idea of being enclosed or encircled.

among

A simpler and more frequently used synonym for "amidst".

in the thick of

Suggests being deeply involved or immersed.

in the environment of

Highlights the surrounding conditions or atmosphere.

within

Emphasizes being contained or included.

in a setting of

Draws attention to the backdrop or context.

in the heart of

Implies being at the central point of something.

enveloped by

Conveys a sense of being completely covered or enclosed.

in the company of

Focuses on being with or among others.

FAQs

How to use "amidst" in a sentence?

"Amidst" is a preposition that means "in the middle of" or "surrounded by". For example, "They found peace "amidst the chaos"" or "The house stands "amidst the trees"".

What can I say instead of "amidst"?

You can use alternatives like "among", "in the middle of", or "surrounded by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "amidst" or "amongst"?

Both "amidst" and "amongst" are correct and mean the same thing. "Amidst" is more commonly used in American English, while "amongst" is more common in British English.

What's the difference between "amidst" and "amid"?

"Amidst" and "amid" are largely interchangeable, with "amid" being a slightly more formal and concise option. Both mean "in the middle of" or "during". "Amid" is often preferred in more formal or literary contexts.