amongst
amongst — preposition
1. in a place where things or people are all around you on different sides
in a place where things or people are all around you on different sides
Kofi found the lost key amongst the dead leaves under the bench.
amongst + plural noun for being surrounded
A small wooden cabin stood quietly amongst the tall pine trees.
Takeshi planted bright tulips amongst the grey stones of the old garden.
The children played hide-and-seek amongst the boxes in the empty warehouse.
文法句型
amongst + plural noun
用法筆記
Subject or object is usually a physical scene of many surrounding objects. 'Amongst' is the more formal, mainly British form of 'among'; both carry the same meaning.
常見錯誤
2. belonging to a set, or counted as one member within it
belonging to a set, or counted as one member within it
Élise was amongst the first nurses to volunteer for the night shift.
be amongst the first/best/few for ranking within a group
Anger spread quickly amongst the workers after the factory closed.
feeling/event spreading amongst a group of people
This old folk song is still popular amongst farmers in the southern valleys.
Felipe counted himself amongst the lucky few who survived the storm.
Such doubts are common amongst students sitting their first big exam.
文法句型
amongst + plural/collective noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here the meaning is membership of a set, not physical surroundings. Often follows 'be / count / number / rank' and pairs with 'the first', 'the best', or 'the few'.
常見錯誤
3. giving a separate part of something to each member when three or more share it
giving a separate part of something to each member when three or more share it
Yael divided the birthday cake equally amongst the six hungry children.
divide/share + object + amongst + group
The old farmer split his land amongst his four grown-up sons.
Prize money was shared amongst all the runners who finished the race.
Asher spread the heavy boxes amongst the three waiting delivery vans.
文法句型
divide/share + amongst + plural noun
用法筆記
Only used when there are three or more receivers; with exactly two, use 'between'. Typically follows verbs of distribution like 'divide', 'share', 'split', 'spread'.
常見錯誤
4. used to name one or two items from a longer list that is not fully given
used to name one or two items from a longer list that is not fully given
The report blamed poor training, amongst other things, for the accident.
amongst other things signalling an incomplete list
Lauren studies history, geography, and music, amongst other subjects.
The shop sells fresh bread, cheese, and olives, amongst many local foods.
Niran enjoys swimming and chess, amongst his many weekend hobbies.
文法句型
amongst other things
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'amongst other things' (or 'amongst others'), signalling that the list shown is only a sample. Distinguish from sense 2: here it flags an unstated remainder, not membership.
5. between the members of one group only, with no outsiders taking part
between the members of one group only, with no outsiders taking part
The players argued amongst themselves about who should take the penalty.
amongst + themselves for action kept within the group
Let us settle this quietly amongst ourselves before the manager arrives.
amongst ourselves for keeping a matter private
The neighbours raised the money amongst themselves to fix the broken gate.
Christopher whispered that the secret should stay amongst the four of them.
- among
standard spelling; 'among themselves' is the usual form
文法句型
amongst + reflexive pronoun (themselves/ourselves)
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a reflexive pronoun ('themselves', 'ourselves', 'yourselves') and stresses that the action stays inside the group. Distinguish from sense 3: this is about who takes part, not about dividing something up.