among
preposition
Between vs. Among: Usage Guide
There is a persistent but unfounded notion that between can be used only of two items and that among must be used for more than two. Between has been used of more than two since Old English; it is especially appropriate to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the number of items. It can be used when the number is unspecified
, when more than two are enumerated
Nathaniel Benchley
, and even when only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied).
George Eliot
Among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships.
When among is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom may be strained.
John Simon
A. H. Johnston
Examples of among in a Sentence
Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Editor’s Note: This feature is part of CNN Style’s series Hyphenated, which explores the complex issue of identity among minorities in the United States.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Villages on the island of Crete were among those evacuated after a fire spread in a forested part of the Lasithi region.
—Paul Tugwell, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
One Israeli newspaper reported that no Arab communities or town residents were listed among those eligible.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
The attorney general noted that fentanyl, which is relatively cheap to produce and 100 times the strength of morphine, is the leading cause of death among those aged 18 to 45.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Today, polls show Biden has weak support among young voters, and that while 26% of Americans overall have a negative view of both Trump and Biden, a significantly larger 41% of young voters dislike both, according to a poll by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
The event will take place on Aug. 17 in Golden Gate Park’s Polo Field, where fans will be able to take in the rock performances under the stars and among the trees.
—Taylor Mims, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Guatemala's Foreign Affairs Ministry had earlier confirmed that two of its citizens were among the missing.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'among.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near among
Cite this Entry
“Among.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/among. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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among
preposition
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