among

USAGE SUMMARY

'among' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when something is shared or distributed among a group of people or things. For example: The prize was divided among the three finalists.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Among the last set of polls, three showed the main parties level-pegging, three had the Conservatives in front by a single point and one gave Labour a two-point advantage.

The Guardian

Forbes ranks it as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill, and its consistent profitability has made David and Charles Koch—who, years ago, bought out two other brothers—among the richest men in America.

The Economist

Turkmenistan is among the most corrupt and repressive countries on earth, according to watchdogs.

The Guardian

Among them is Holly Dolan, a "school healthcare educator," who came down from Pennsylvania because of her "frustration at the lack of understanding of the reforms".

The Guardian

It has the second largest oil reserves among the former Soviet republics after Russia, and its oil exports are expected to soar as its huge Kashagan oil field, in the Caspian Sea, develops.

The Guardian

"The data show that not only is there declining trust in government, there is declining trust in other people"; although it wasn't exclusive to them, this shift was "concentrated among these poor kids, the kids who have been left out," Putnam said.

The Economist

You are not welcome among us.

The Economist

Members of a well-known London football dynasty that also numbers Les, Dennis, Bradley and Clive among its members, the pair will conduct the draw at approximately 2pm, with five different third-round matches either ongoing or still to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

Langton said the lack of numeracy and literacy among Indigenous people is "a tragedy that grows year by year.

The Guardian

Whether or not the EPA's own surveys can be trusted, the move by Republicans to denounce water regulation and pitch it as the enemy of the foundational American ideal of private property might not be a slam-dunk for the American right – even among their core supporters.

The Guardian

On a composite "healthy lives" score, which includes deaths among infants and patients who would have survived had they received timely and effective healthcare, the UK came 10th.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "among" to indicate that something is shared or distributed within a group of three or more items or people. For example, "The responsibility was divided among the team members."

Common error

Avoid using "among" when referring to only two items or people; use "between" instead. For instance, it's correct to say "the agreement between the two companies", not "among".

Linguistic Context

Among functions primarily as a preposition, indicating that something is included, situated, or occurs within a group or collection. Ludwig examples show it denoting mingling, belonging, or sharing common features within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "among" is a preposition used to indicate that something is included or situated within a group. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While it is mostly interchangeable with "amidst", it is important to remember that "among" should be used when referring to three or more entities, whereas "between" is used for two. Alternative phrases like "in the midst of" or "surrounded by" can be used for variety, but "among" remains a versatile and common choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amidst

A synonym that carries a slightly more literary tone and similar meaning of being surrounded by something.

within a group of

Specifically denotes membership in a defined set.

as a member of

Formally states the affiliation with a group.

in the midst of

Focuses on being surrounded by something, emphasizing the immediate environment.

along with

Implies addition or accompaniment to a group.

surrounded by

Highlights the encompassing nature of the group or environment.

in the ranks of

Highlights a position within an organized body.

part of

Indicates belonging or inclusion in a larger entity.

included with

Emphasizes the act of being incorporated or listed together.

in company with

Suggests a sense of association or companionship.

FAQs

How do I use "among" in a sentence?

Use "among" to show a relationship involving more than two entities. For example, "The decision was popular "among the students"."

What's the difference between "among" and "between"?

"Among" is used when referring to three or more items, while "between" is used for two. "The prize was split "between the two contestants"", but "shared "among the three winners"".

What are some alternatives to using "among"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in the midst of", "surrounded by", or "within a group of" as alternatives to "among".

Is it ever correct to use "amongst" instead of "among"?

"Amongst" is a variant of "among" and can be used interchangeably, though "among" is more common in American English. Both are grammatically correct.