Are you confused about when to use the words among and across? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings and uses. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between among and across, and provide examples of when to use each one correctly.
Let’s clarify the definitions of these two words. Among is typically used to describe something that is within a group or surrounded by other things. Across, on the other hand, usually refers to something that spans or traverses a distance or area.
So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on the context of your sentence. In some cases, both words could be used correctly. For example, you could say “the book was placed among the others on the shelf” or “the book was placed across from the others on the shelf,” and both would be correct.
However, there are situations where one word is more appropriate than the other. For instance, if you’re talking about a physical location, you would use across to describe movement from one side to the other. For example, “I walked across the bridge to get to the other side.” On the other hand, if you’re talking about a group of people or objects, you would use among to describe their relationship to each other. For example, “the cat was hiding among the pillows on the couch.”
Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll explore more examples of when to use among and across, and provide tips for choosing the right word in different contexts.
Define Among
Among is a preposition that is used to indicate a relationship between two or more items that are part of a larger group or collection. It implies a sense of being surrounded by or in the midst of something. It can also be used to describe a sense of belonging or inclusion within a group or community.
For example, “The book was among the many on the shelf” implies that the book was one of many books on the shelf. Similarly, “She felt among friends at the party” implies that she felt included or part of the group of people at the party.
Define Across
Across is a preposition that is used to indicate a relationship between two or more items that are positioned on opposite sides of a surface or area. It implies a sense of distance or separation between the items. It can also be used to describe movement from one side of a surface or area to another.
For example, “The cat walked across the room” implies that the cat moved from one side of the room to the other. Similarly, “The bridge spans across the river” implies that the bridge extends from one side of the river to the other.
| Among | Across |
|---|---|
| Indicates a relationship within a group or collection | Indicates a relationship between items on opposite sides of a surface or area |
| Implies a sense of being surrounded by or in the midst of something | Implies a sense of distance or separation between the items |
| Used to describe a sense of belonging or inclusion within a group or community | Used to describe movement from one side of a surface or area to another |
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Choosing the right preposition can be a daunting task for many writers. Among and across are two commonly used prepositions that can be easily confused. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.
How To Use “Among” In A Sentence
The word “among” is used to describe something that is surrounded by other things or is in the middle of a group. It is often used when referring to people or objects that are part of a larger group.
For example:
- She was among the top performers in her class.
- The diamond ring was lost among the other jewelry.
- He felt at home among his colleagues.
When using “among” in a sentence, it is important to remember that it is followed by a plural noun or pronoun. For example:
- He was among his friends.
- The book was hidden among the other books on the shelf.
How To Use “Across” In A Sentence
The word “across” is used to describe movement from one side to another. It is often used when referring to physical distance or when describing something that spans a particular area.
For example:
- The bridge spans across the river.
- She walked across the room to get to the door.
- He saw the car parked across the street.
When using “across” in a sentence, it is important to remember that it is followed by a singular or plural noun. For example:
- The cat ran across the street.
- The message spread quickly across the country.
Overall, understanding the proper use of “among” and “across” can greatly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
More Examples Of Among & Across Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the usage of the words “among” and “across,” it is important to examine their use in context. Here are some additional examples of how these words are used in sentences:
Examples Of Using “Among” In A Sentence
- Among the members of the committee, there was a clear divide on the issue.
- She stood out among her peers as the most innovative thinker.
- He found himself among strangers in a foreign land.
- The book was hidden among a pile of old magazines.
- There was a sense of camaraderie among the team members.
- She felt a sense of belonging among the other artists.
- He was the only one among his friends who had never traveled abroad.
- There was a feeling of unease among the crowd as the storm approached.
- Among the many challenges they faced, funding was the most pressing.
- She found solace among the pages of her favorite book.
Examples Of Using “Across” In A Sentence
- He walked across the room to greet his guests.
- The news spread quickly across the small town.
- She gazed out across the vast expanse of the ocean.
- The bridge spanned across the wide river.
- He traveled across the country to attend the conference.
- She ran across the field to catch the ball.
- The message was written across the sky in bold letters.
- They hiked across the rugged terrain to reach the summit.
- The painting stretched across the entire length of the wall.
- She scanned across the page to find the information she needed.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
It is common for people to use the words “among” and “across” interchangeably, but this can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Among” When Referring To A Physical Distance
One common mistake is using “among” when referring to a physical distance, such as “I walked among the street.” This is incorrect because “among” refers to being surrounded by or in the midst of a group, while “across” refers to going from one side to another. The correct usage would be “I walked across the street.”
Using “Across” When Referring To A Group
Another mistake is using “across” when referring to a group, such as “There was a lot of excitement across the children.” This is incorrect because “across” refers to going from one side to another, while “among” refers to being surrounded by or in the midst of a group. The correct usage would be “There was a lot of excitement among the children.”
Using “Among” With Only Two Items
It is also a mistake to use “among” when referring to only two items, such as “The decision was made among John and Sarah.” This is incorrect because “among” refers to being surrounded by or in the midst of a group, while “between” refers to the relationship of two things. The correct usage would be “The decision was made between John and Sarah.”
Using “Across” When Referring To A Relationship
Finally, it is a mistake to use “across” when referring to a relationship, such as “There is a lot of understanding across the two companies.” This is incorrect because “across” refers to going from one side to another, while “between” refers to the relationship of two things. The correct usage would be “There is a lot of understanding between the two companies.”
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
- Use “among” when referring to a group or being surrounded by something.
- Use “across” when referring to going from one side to another.
- Use “between” when referring to the relationship of two things.
- Double-check your usage to ensure you are using the correct word.
Context Matters
Choosing between among and across can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words indicate a sense of distribution or dispersion, but they are used differently depending on the situation.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between among and across might change:
- Physical Space: When referring to physical space, across is used to indicate movement from one side to another. For example, “The cat walked across the room.” On the other hand, among is used to indicate being surrounded by something. For example, “The cat was among the flowers.”
- Groups: When referring to groups of people or objects, among is used to indicate being a part of the group. For example, “The book was among the other books on the shelf.” Across is used to indicate distribution or separation of the group. For example, “The students were spread across the classroom.”
- Comparison: When making a comparison, across is used to indicate a comparison between two or more things. For example, “The company’s profits increased across all departments.” Among is used to indicate a comparison within a group. For example, “The CEO was among the highest paid executives.”
It is important to consider the context in which among and across are used to ensure that the correct word is chosen. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence and lead to confusion for the reader.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “among” and “across” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are a few examples:
When Referring To Specific Locations
When referring to specific locations, “across” is typically the preferred choice. However, in certain contexts, “among” may be used instead. For example:
- “The path winds across the mountain.” (referring to a specific location)
- “We wandered among the trees.” (referring to a general area)
In the second example, “among” is used because the focus is on the general area of the trees rather than a specific location within that area.
When Referring To Relationships
While “among” is typically used when referring to three or more items, there are some cases where it may be used for just two items. This is often the case when referring to relationships. For example:
- “There was a deep bond among the three siblings.”
- “There was a connection among the two musicians.”
In the second example, “among” is used to suggest that the two musicians share a common bond or relationship, even though there are only two of them.
When Used In Idiomatic Expressions
Finally, there are some idiomatic expressions where “among” or “across” may be used even if they don’t strictly follow the rules. For example:
- “To fall among thieves” (meaning to be victimized by a group of people)
- “To come across as rude” (meaning to give the impression of being rude)
In these cases, the phrases have taken on a specific meaning that may not necessarily follow the standard rules for using “among” and “across.”
Practice Exercises
Improving one’s understanding and usage of among and across requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Complete the following sentences by filling in the blank with either among or across:
- The cat ran ______ the street to catch the mouse.
- There are many different types of flowers ______ the garden.
- She found the book she was looking for ______ the library.
- He was the only one who could make a difference ______ the team.
- The message was spread quickly ______ the community.
Answer Key:
- across
- in
- in
- among
- across
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
- The students were scattered ______ the room.
- a) among
- b) across
- c) between
- a) among
- b) across
- c) between
- a) among
- b) across
- c) between
- a) among
- b) across
- c) between
- a) among
- b) across
- c) between
Answer Key:
- a) among
- b) across
- a) among
- b) across
- a) among
Exercise 3: Writing Practice
Write three sentences using among and three sentences using across to demonstrate your understanding of the difference between the two words.
Example Sentences:
- Among the many books on the shelf, I found the one I was looking for.
- He walked across the bridge to get to the other side of the river.
- She stood out among the crowd of people waiting for the bus.
- The cat ran across the street to catch the mouse.
- The information was spread across the internet quickly.
- He was the most talented among all of the musicians in the orchestra.
Explanation:
Exercise 3 provides an opportunity for readers to practice using among and across in their own writing. By writing sentences, readers can apply their knowledge and reinforce their understanding of the two words.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “among” and “across,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. “Among” is used when referring to a group of people or things that are part of the same entity, while “across” is used when referring to a distance or a physical barrier that is being crossed.
It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. Remember to consider the context of the sentence and the relationship between the subjects when choosing between “among” and “across.”
Overall, grammar and language use are essential components of effective communication. By continuing to learn and improve our understanding of these concepts, we can better express ourselves and connect with others.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.