Is Amongst a Proper Word?

In both speech and writing, among and amongst are interchangeable. Both are grammatically correct and mean the same thing. However, amongst is often considered old-fashioned or pretentious in American English, so you may want to avoid it.

Which is correct among or amongst?

Amongst and among mean the same thing, but among is more common, particularly in American English. ... Among is the older version of the word, tracing its roots back to Old English. Amongst appeared in Middle English. During this period, the English language added sounds to some words to form adverbs.

Is amongst a formal word?

Amongst is sometimes used as an alternative to among. It is more formal and less common: The results show that both girls are amongst the top 10% of students in the whole school.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.