amongst themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"amongst themselves" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that something is being done or discussed within a group without involving outsiders. For example, "The members of the team discussed their plans amongst themselves before presenting them to the board of directors".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were talking amongst themselves.

The New York Times

"I say, let them fight amongst themselves".

The New York Times

The Dutch arguing amongst themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

The players talk amongst themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

They just like to play amongst themselves".

The New York Times

They are now deciding amongst themselves what to do".

The Guardian

They could even decide amongst themselves which jobs they took.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They've done certain things amongst themselves, particularly the forwards.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everyone just said amongst themselves that it wasn't much fun to work here anymore".

The New York Times

Let's segregate the S.U.V.'s and they can "talk" amongst themselves!

The New York Times

The players pointed fingers and bickered amongst themselves on the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amongst themselves" to clearly indicate that an action, discussion, or decision is confined to a specific group, excluding any external parties. This ensures clarity when describing internal dynamics.

Common error

While "amongst" and "among" are often interchangeable, "amongst" can sound overly formal in modern English. Consider using "among" for a more contemporary tone, unless a heightened sense of formality is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amongst themselves" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb by indicating that an action or discussion is occurring within a defined group. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amongst themselves" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate internal group dynamics. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While "amongst" is largely interchangeable with "among", it carries a slightly more formal tone. The phrase is versatile and appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When writing, consider the desired level of formality and choose "amongst" or "among" accordingly to achieve the appropriate effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between themselves

Replaces "amongst" with "between", implying a more direct or binary relationship within the group.

with each other

Uses the more common phrase "each other" instead of "themselves", focusing on reciprocity.

within the group

More explicit about the location of the action: the group itself.

among their own

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the group, suggesting a sense of belonging and shared identity.

among the members

More verbose variation, explicitly mentioning the individuals comprising the group.

within their ranks

Highlights the hierarchical or structured nature of the group.

in their own circles

Suggests a more informal or social context for the interaction.

internally

A single-word adverb focusing on the inside nature of the interaction.

in-house

Implies that the activity is being contained within an organization or company.

in private

Focuses on the confidentiality and lack of external involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "amongst themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "amongst themselves" to indicate that a group is interacting or making decisions internally. For example, "The committee members discussed the proposal "amongst themselves" before voting".

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

The words "among" and "amongst" are mostly interchangeable. "Amongst" is simply an older form, which can come across as more formal or archaic to modern readers. The phrase "among themselves" is more commonly used.

What can I say instead of "amongst themselves"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "between themselves", "with each other", or "internally".

Is "amongst themselves" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "amongst themselves" leans towards a more formal tone. In many situations, the shorter version "among themselves" is preferred for its more contemporary feel.