Topic: Amid, Amidst vs. Among, Amongst

Let me say first  I grew up, went to college, married, raised a family and am now happily retired without ever having felt the need to use the words 'amid' or 'among' ('amidst'or 'amongst' if you're British or writing 'literature'). I always used good old 'in the middle of.' Or sometimes 'surrounded by.'

But lately, I see these words more and more often, so I thought I'd check to see if there's a difference. Lo and behold, there is!
http://www.dictionary.com/e/amidst-vs-amid/

Use 'amid' or 'amidst' when surrounded by things not counted or uncountable.
amidst the hurricane (no number)
amid a bed of roses (a bed = one bed--no need to count)
amid the clouds (not countable)

Use among' or 'amongst' when surrounded by separate (discrete), countable things
amongst the roses (one rose, two roses, three roses, etc.)
amongst the trees (one tree, two trees...)
among the children (one child, two chidren,,,)

Knowing how you creative types feel about rules, what do you say?

Quote Post 1

Re: Amid, Amidst vs. Among, Amongst

Dialogue is ruled by the speaker's voice, and narrative by the narrators.  In a close PoV, you may want to hew near the PoV character's voice.

Quote Post 2

Re: Amid, Amidst vs. Among, Amongst

I think this is one of those times that the sound to the ear is probably a good guide. "Among" the hurricane or "Amidst" the trees just sounds awkward whether within the strict rules of grammar or not. It is definitely not a distinction I would be concerned about should a character utter a sentence using such words. If it sounded weird, then I would probably rewrite the sentence to avoid it altogether rather than checking to see if some rule was bent or broken. That's the way I see it and will probably write it in the future present. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 3

Re: Amid, Amidst vs. Among, Amongst

vern wrote:

I think this is one of those times that the sound to the ear is probably a good guide.  If it sounded weird, then I would probably rewrite the sentence to avoid it altogether rather than checking to see if some rule was bent or broken. That's the way I see it and will probably write it in the future present. Take care. Vern

I agree--it seems too close to call, based on rules alone.  JP

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