Monday, June 15, 2009

Among and Amongst

Grammar Amplified:

Among and Amongst are interchangeable. Though the former is far more common in American grammar, the latter is a perfectly reasonable substitute.

3 comments:

nathan cookston said...

Oh great grammar guy. Please research "beside" and "besides"...is usage restricted by plurality?.

Ryan Phelps said...

BESIDE:

A preposition meaning 'close to' or 'next to.'

BESIDES

A preposition meaning 'over and above' or 'in addition to."

Or

An adverb meaning 'moreover' or otherwise.

HOWEVER:

"For the prepositional meanings 'over and above, in addition to' and 'except' BESIDES is preferred, especially in edited writing: 'Besides these honors he received a sum of money. We heard no other sound besides the breaking surf.' However, BESIDE sometimes occurs with these meanings as well." -from Dictionary.com

:-)

nathan cookston said...

Now I can go to my intern and sound smart. Thank you Ryan.