Comments on: Among vs. Amongst http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: John http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/comment-page-1/#comment-139928 John Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:46:53 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=448#comment-139928 I realize the thread is a bit dated, but as far as I can tell there is a slight difference between the "-st" and their denuded counterparts in British and Australian English. These commonwealth countries tend to use whilst, amongst, etc. when the word that follows starts with a vowel or other soft sound. This makes the two words roll off the tongue more easily than the non -st words: consider amongst youths vs. among youths. If my hunch is correct, it would be grammatically similar (and perhaps descend from) the French "liaison" between two words. One pertinent example is the insertion of "-t-" in some cases between two words that end in vowels, for example "a-t-il" instead of "a il." Another would be the pronunciation of the last letter when ordinarily silent: in "deux hommes" the normally silent "x" is pronounced as "z". I realize the thread is a bit dated, but as far as I can tell there is a slight difference between the “-st” and their denuded counterparts in British and Australian English. These commonwealth countries tend to use whilst, amongst, etc. when the word that follows starts with a vowel or other soft sound. This makes the two words roll off the tongue more easily than the non -st words: consider amongst youths vs. among youths. If my hunch is correct, it would be grammatically similar (and perhaps descend from) the French “liaison” between two words. One pertinent example is the insertion of “-t-” in some cases between two words that end in vowels, for example “a-t-il” instead of “a il.” Another would be the pronunciation of the last letter when ordinarily silent: in “deux hommes” the normally silent “x” is pronounced as “z”.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/comment-page-1/#comment-77880 Carrie Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:16:13 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=448#comment-77880 oops...there was a typo in my last comment. offered/given was an extra bit that should have been deleted! it should have read: advice is a noun. it is a thing (suggestion, bit of wisdom, etc.) that can be given and received/accepted. etc... oops…there was a typo in my last comment. offered/given was an extra bit that should have been deleted!

it should have read:

advice is a noun. it is a thing (suggestion, bit of wisdom, etc.) that can be given and received/accepted.

etc…

]]> By: Carrie http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/comment-page-1/#comment-77879 Carrie Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:13:37 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=448#comment-77879 guardian angel, the difference between advice and advise is: advice is a noun. it is a thing (suggestion, wisdom, etc.) offered/given that can be offered and accepted. advise is a verb. it is the act of giving advice. hope that helps almost a year later! haha guardian angel,

the difference between advice and advise is:

advice is a noun. it is a thing (suggestion, wisdom, etc.) offered/given that can be offered and accepted.

advise is a verb. it is the act of giving advice.

hope that helps almost a year later! haha

]]> By: Lloyd http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/comment-page-1/#comment-57128 Lloyd Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:56:47 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=448#comment-57128 I remember learning there is a difference between among and amongst. Instead of explaining, I will give an example. Let's discuss the issues among the departments. Let's discuss the issues amongst the departments. The first sentence using among means there are issues between departments. The second sentence using amongst means we want to talk to the departments about the issues. Does anyone else remember being taught this in school? I remember learning there is a difference between among and amongst.

Instead of explaining, I will give an example.

Let’s discuss the issues among the departments.
Let’s discuss the issues amongst the departments.

The first sentence using among means there are issues between departments.
The second sentence using amongst means we want to talk to the departments about the issues.

Does anyone else remember being taught this in school?

]]> By: Tania http://www.dailywritingtips.com/among-vs-amongst/comment-page-1/#comment-17091 Tania Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:47:20 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=448#comment-17091 Thx Ali! Clare - I see your point about prose rhythm and agree that "amongst" would work well in specific types of text. Maybe I should have added that I work mostly with business texts, which probably explains my predeliction for "among" :-) Thx Ali!

Clare – I see your point about prose rhythm and agree that “amongst” would work well in specific types of text. Maybe I should have added that I work mostly with business texts, which probably explains my predeliction for “among” :-)

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