are among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are among" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is included in a specific group or category. Example: "The researchers are among the leading experts in the field." Alternative expressions include "are part of" and "belong to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Footnotes are among those things.

The New Yorker

Men are among the victims.

Independent

These are among her favorites.

The New York Times

The cosplayers are among us.

The New Yorker

England are among them.

The Guardian - Sport

Beetles are among them.

The Guardian

Today, on Halloween, superheroes are among us.

The New Yorker

Yet its services are among the worst.

The Economist

China and emerging economies are among them.

The New York Times

His descendants are among the finest citizens.

The New Yorker

The authors reviewed here are among them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun following the preposition is plural or a collective noun to maintain logical agreement with the concept of being part of a group.

Common error

Do not substitute "between" for "among" when referring to a group of three or more distinct items or a vague collective. Use "are among" for membership in a crowd or set and "between" only for specific, distinct relationships usually involving two entities.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "are among" functions as a complex predicate where the linking verb "are" connects the subject to a prepositional phrase. This structure is used to identify the subject as a constituent of a larger collective. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a standard and highly effective way to express categorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are among" is an essential tool for clear and precise English writing. It is used to denote membership in a group or category and is widely supported by high-quality sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, functioning well in both neutral and highly formal registers. When using "are among", remember that it inherently suggests that the subject is not the only member of the group, which can help add nuance to your claims. It is a more professional choice than "are between" for large groups and serves as a smoother alternative to "are included in" in most narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number among

A more formal variant often used to indicate inclusion in a count or list.

rank among

Implies a level of status or relative position within the group.

are included in

Specifically denotes being part of a larger set or list.

are part of

A simpler and more general way to express membership.

stand among

Suggests prominence or visibility within the specified group.

sit among

Often used for physical placement or metaphorical positioning within a category.

feature among

Indicates that the subject is a notable part of the group.

are listed among

Focuses on the documented inclusion of the subject in a group.

belong to

Emphasizes a permanent or inherent affiliation with a group.

fall into

Commonly used for classification or categorical grouping.

FAQs

How do I use "are among" in a sentence?

The phrase "are among" is used to show that something is a member of a specific group. For example, you can write "The researchers "are among" the leading experts in the field" to indicate their inclusion in that elite group.

What is the difference between "are among" and "are part of"?

While similar, "are among" often emphasizes the plurality of the group and one's position within it, whereas "are part of" can sometimes imply a more structural or integral connection to a whole.

Which is more formal: "are among" or "number among"?

Both are suitable for formal writing, but "number among" is often perceived as slightly more sophisticated and is frequently found in literary or high-level journalistic contexts.

Can "are among" be used with a singular subject?

No, because "are" is a plural verb. If the subject is singular, you must use "is among". However, the object of the preposition "among" should almost always be plural or a collective noun like "is among the group".