Among and Amid

What is the difference between Among and Amid?


By Ram, India - 27 Jan 2008


The two are not synonymous. Among is considered less formal of the two. Books on English usage maintain that the word among should be used when it is followed by plural countable nouns or by a word indicating a separable group of people or things, congregation, crowd, etc,

• The priest walked among his congregation, shanking hands with a few.

Amid on the other hand is mainly used with uncountable nouns. It suggests that you are surrounded by something that is usually inseparable.

• The three rebbers escaped amid the confusion that followed the fire.