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Topic: Amid and Among |
9 January 2003 |
This week, in Confusing and Confused we have another confusing pair,
amid and among.They both mean surrounded by something.
We use among with plural nouns or collective nouns like 'crowd' or 'audience'.
For example:
They share their lecture notes among the class.
He found his old letter among big piles of books on his desk.
Amid has a sense of being in the middle of something.
We use amid with singular nouns and two events happening at the same time.
For example:
The child is kidnapped amid the confusion of the crowd at the public market.
Amid growing conflict, the President announced war.
Amongst is an old form of among.
It is becoming obsolete. Likewise, amidst is an obsolescent form of amid.
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Exercise: Amid or Among |
| Directions : Complete the sentences with the appropriate words. |
 1._______ the great writers, Shakespeare is my favourite.
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| 2.He went to work _______ the fog and cold of autumn. |
| 3.The children could not decide _______ themselves who should get the biggest piece of cake. |
| 4.Drug addicts have to live _______ shame and criticism. |
| 5.Christmas is time to spend _______ friends and family. |
| 6.Murmur was heard _______ the audience as the concert cancellation was announced. |
| 7.Life _______ poverty is the norm of post-war period. |
| 8.That certainly put the cat _______ the pigeons. |
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Answers |
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