among instruments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among instruments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a selection or grouping of various tools or devices, typically in a specific context such as music, science, or technology. Example: "The musician felt most comfortable playing among instruments like the piano, guitar, and violin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Onstage, the five members of Isotope 217 play musical chairs among instruments: trumpet, laptop electronics, Moog synthesizer, drums, bass and guitar.

The New York Times - Arts

Among instruments, the lowest-pitched member of a family is referred to as the bass, for example, the bass recorder or bass viol.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The densely constructed work, which opened with a dramatic percussion flourish, held a listener's attention with its scampering gestures and complex interplay among instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

Hubble, however, is a giant among instruments and has played a key role in many discoveries that have profoundly changed our view of the universe.

Independent

Few manage as exquisite a balance among instruments as that achieved by the Trio Wanderer on its 2007 CD, which also includes a compelling account of the Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor.

The New York Times - Arts

The article presented the viol as a sweet-natured weakling among instruments, one that had been supplanted, in the eighteenth century, by members of the violin family, which project more easily into a concert hall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

fully expects that the strings will appreciate in value, Axelrod's claim that the collection is worth $50 million has been met with some eye-rolling among instrument dealers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Things are calmer now among instrument builders, who have settled into at least general agreement on what is a flute and what is a trombone.

The New York Times - Arts

The implementation and usage of open source files, among instrument manufacturers and the metabolomics community is not widespread.

GigaScience

The virtual environment of the collaboratory supports interaction among scientists; among scientists, instruments, and data; and among networked computing tools used in the conduct of scientific research.

Science Magazine

Further analyses revealed that the meaning of acceptance differs among different instruments and among different versions of the same instrument.

The Journal of Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing musical arrangements, use "among instruments" to highlight how different instruments interact and contribute to the overall sound.

Common error

Avoid using "between instruments" when referring to more than two instruments. "Between" is typically used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among instruments" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. As Ludwig indicates, it modifies a noun or verb by specifying a relationship or distribution within a group of instruments. It often indicates interaction, comparison, or presence within a set of tools.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

53%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "among instruments" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe relationships or interactions within a group of instruments, whether in music, science, or other fields. As Ludwig's analysis and many examples confirm, it's crucial to use "among" when referring to three or more instruments and to differentiate its meaning from phrases like "with instruments." While the phrase sees use across several registers and mediums, it is most likely found in science and news-related texts. Using related terms like "between instruments", "within the instruments" or "throughout the instruments" could be valuable depending on the situation and the goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between instruments

Focuses on the relationship or interaction specifically involving two instruments.

within the instruments

Highlights something occurring inside the instruments themselves, rather than among them as separate entities.

across the instruments

Emphasizes distribution or application spanning multiple instruments.

in a group of instruments

Refers to actions happening within a cluster of instruments.

in the instrument collection

Refers to items found inside a set of instruments.

in the range of instruments

Relates to actions happening within the scope of instruments.

relative to instruments

Indicates comparison or relationship considering a collection of instruments.

throughout the instruments

Suggests a widespread effect or element present in all instruments.

concerning instruments

Focuses on information relating instruments.

regarding instruments

Focuses on a topic directly related to a number of instruments.

FAQs

How to use "among instruments" in a sentence?

Use "among instruments" to describe relationships, interactions, or comparisons within a group of musical, scientific, or other types of tools. For instance, "The balance "among the instruments" was carefully considered in the composition."

What can I say instead of "among instruments"?

You can use alternatives like "between instruments" (when referring to only two), "within the instruments", or "in a group of instruments" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "among instruments" or "between instruments" when referring to a trio?

When referring to three or more instruments, "among instruments" is the correct choice. Use "between instruments" only when discussing two instruments.

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

"Among instruments" indicates a relationship or interaction within a group, while "with instruments" usually implies using instruments for a particular purpose. For example, "the interplay among instruments" versus "experiments with instruments."