amidst something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amidst something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate being surrounded by or in the middle of a particular situation or environment. Example: "Amidst the chaos of the city, she found a quiet park to relax in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Amanda was appointed as editor in January 2011 amidst something of a fanfare.

The Guardian

"But it's part of the whole experience of being in nature, suddenly finding yourself amidst something as sinister as a bunch of coyotes.

The New York Times

If all possibilities -- all universes with all laws -- can arise dynamically, and if anything that is not forbidden must arise, then this implies that both nothing and something must both exist, and we will of necessity find ourselves amidst something.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They are banking on a big enough change at the centre that they can talk not only the East Timorese around, but also separatist groups in other provinces, such as Aceh and Irian Jaya.And amidst all this something has to be done to fix the economy.

The Economist

I, like many others, was longing to do something amidst our nation's political crisis.

Duke University

But something amidst the quaint, hipstery, organic and grass-fed masses was lacking.

Huffington Post

Amidst the geekery, something strange happened: a fully uniformed NYPD officer performed an impromptu scratch routine on a pair of turntables while a crowd of onlookers videotaped the whole routine of their phones, some footage of which ended up on Reddit today.

Vice

Yet Lutzeyer still spied something positive amidst the ruins.

Independent

We feel a responsibility to do something and amidst all the doubts and hesitations that must be a moral advance.

The Guardian

They're seeking to do something good amidst all the detritus around them, and they're aware of how badly they've screwed it up.

The New York Times

"I always saw the system as something magical amidst a crazy situation," says Segnini. "I believe [Abreu] has saved a huge part of the population".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amidst something" to create a sense of being surrounded by or in the middle of a particular situation, often implying complexity or intensity. For instance, "Amidst the confusion, a solution emerged."

Common error

Avoid using "amidst something" in simple scenarios where "in" or "among" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted. Use it when the situation warrants a sense of immersion or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amidst something" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location or circumstance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English, setting a scene or context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amidst something" is a prepositional phrase that effectively places an event or state within a specific context. As Ludwig AI states, it's considered correct and usable in English. Although not as common as simpler alternatives like "in" or "among", "amidst something" adds a layer of complexity and immersion, making it well-suited for formal writing and news reporting. When using "amidst something", consider if a simpler preposition can do the job as its overuse can come across as pretentious. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its usage across various reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, confirming its established place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the midst of something

Emphasizes being centrally located within an event or situation.

Surrounded by something

Highlights the sense of being encircled or enclosed by something.

Among something

Indicates being included or situated within a group or collection.

In the thick of something

Suggests deep involvement or immersion in a complex or intense situation.

Caught up in something

Implies being actively engaged or entangled in something.

Involved in something

Focuses on participation or engagement in an activity or event.

Engulfed by something

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or consumed by something.

Enveloped in something

Suggests being completely covered or enclosed by something.

Overwhelmed by something

Highlights the feeling of being overpowered or burdened by something.

Dealing with something

Focuses on the act of managing or addressing a particular issue or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "amidst something" in a sentence?

"Amidst something" is used to describe a situation where something is happening in the middle of or surrounded by something else. For example, "Amidst the chaos of the city, she found peace".

What are some alternatives to "amidst something"?

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

Is it always appropriate to use "amidst something" in formal writing?

While "amidst something" is generally suitable for formal writing, consider whether a simpler preposition like "in" or "among" might be more appropriate. Overusing "amidst" can make your writing sound pretentious.

What is the difference between "amidst something" and "during something"?

"Amidst something" implies being surrounded by or immersed in a situation, while "during something" simply indicates that something happened within a specific timeframe. For example, "Amidst the celebration, he felt lonely" versus "During the celebration, he gave a speech".