Cool MateAmid vs Among
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amid
Top 3,000 (common)C1preposition
Among
Top 1,000 (very common)A2preposition
Most common: Among
| Amid | Among | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmɪd/","/əˈmɪdst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmɪd/","/əˈmɪdst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmʌŋ/","/əˈmʌŋst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmʌŋ/","/əˈmʌŋst/"]/ |
| Meaning | in the middle of or during something | In the middle of a group of people or things. |
| Example | He finished his speech amid tremendous applause. | a house among the trees |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | preposition | preposition |
| Collocations | amid chaos, amid controversy, amid the noise | among friends, among the options, share among colleagues |
| Antonyms | outside, away from | excluding, beyond |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'amid' with 'among' in plural settings., Using 'amid' with non-noun phrases incorrectly., Incorrectly placing 'amid' at the end of sentences. | Confused with 'between' when referring to two items., Used 'among' with uncountable nouns, which is incorrect., Omitting the preposition in a sentence. |
| Usage notes | Use 'amid' in contexts that indicate something happening in the middle of a situation, often used in written or formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversation. | Use 'among' when referring to three or more items or people in a group. Avoid using it with two items, where 'between' is preferred. Suitable for both written and spoken contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Amid vs Among
What's the difference between Amid and Among?
Amid: in the middle of or during something Among: In the middle of a group of people or things.
Which is more common: Amid and Among?
Among is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Amid and Among?
Amid is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Amid and Among the same CEFR level?
Amid: C1, Among: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Amid and Among?
Amid: preposition, Among: preposition.
Can you show an example of each?
Amid: He finished his speech amid tremendous applause. Among: a house among the trees
Can I use Amid and Among interchangeably?
Not always. Amid and Among are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.