In vs. Among — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
"In" refers to being inside or within a single entity, focusing on a specific location; "among" denotes a distribution within or surrounded by multiple items.
Difference Between In and Among
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Key Differences
"In" is used when referring to something located inside or within the confines of a specific area, indicating a precise position. On the other hand, "among" is employed to express a relationship or position within a group or collection of items, emphasizing a more general or dispersed arrangement.
"In" typically describes a scenario where the focus is on one specific location, such as being in a building or in a city. Whereas "among" suggests being part of a larger number or group, like being among friends or among the stars.
"In" is often used to highlight the containment of something within well-defined boundaries, such as in a box or in a room. Conversely, "among" is used when the boundaries are less defined, indicating a mingling or spreading out, such as secrets among thieves.
"In" can also denote inclusion within a particular state or condition, such as being in love or in trouble. On the other hand, "among" refers to a shared or common feature among multiple entities, such as trust among partners.
The usage of "in" conveys a more intimate or focused setting, suitable for singular and specific contexts. In contrast, "among" is ideal for contexts involving interactions or relationships between multiple entities, offering a sense of collectivity or diffusion.
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Comparison Chart
Usage Context
Specific location or condition
General presence in a group
Prepositional Type
Place, time, state
Relationship among many
Typical Grammar Scenario
Singular, well-defined
Plural, not specifically defined
Example Context
"In the room," "in April"
"Among the trees," "among many"
Connotation
Precision, containment
Dispersion, involvement
Compare with Definitions
In
As a preposition, indicating location within boundaries.
She is in the garden.
Among
To convey a sense of being surrounded by others.
He felt at ease among friends.
In
To signify inclusion within a group or classification.
He played a role in the movie.
Among
To express distribution or scattering.
Dividing the inheritance among four heirs.
In
As part of a phrasal verb or expression.
She gave in to the demands.
Among
To signify a part of or included in more than two.
She is popular among her peers.
In
To express a period of time when something occurs.
It happens in April.
Among
To describe a relationship within a group.
Trust must be built among team members.
In
To indicate a state or condition.
They are in trouble.
Among
Used to indicate inclusion within a group or collective.
Walking among the crowds.
In
Expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else
Dressed in their Sunday best
She saw the bus in the rear-view mirror
I'm living in London
Among
Situated more or less centrally in relation to (several other things)
You're among friends
Flowers hidden among the roots of the trees
In
Expressing a period of time during which an event happens or a situation remains the case
They met in 1885
I hadn't seen him in years
At one o'clock in the morning
Among
Being a member or members of (a larger set)
Snakes are among the animals most feared by man
A British woman was among the 54 victims of the disaster
In
Expressing the length of time before a future event is expected to happen
I'll see you in fifteen minutes
Among
Occurring in or shared by (some members of a group or community)
Members of the government bickered among themselves
A drop in tooth decay among children
In
(often followed by a noun without a determiner) expressing a state or condition
I've got to put my affairs in order
To be in love
A woman in her thirties
Among
Indicating a division, choice, or differentiation involving three or more participants
The State Council would elect a temporary president from among its members
The old king called the three princesses to divide his kingdom among them
In
Expressing inclusion or involvement
I read it in a book
Acting in a film
Among
In the midst of; surrounded by
A pine tree among cedars.
In
Indicating someone's occupation or profession
She works in publishing
Among
In the group, number, or class of
She is among the wealthy.
In
Indicating the language or medium used
Put it in writing
Say it in French
Among
In the company of; in association with
Traveling among a group of tourists.
In
As an integral part of (an activity)
In planning public expenditure it is better to be prudent
Among
By many or the entire number of; with many
A custom popular among the Greeks.
In
Expressing a value as a proportion of (a whole)
A local income tax running at six pence in the pound
Among
By the joint action of
Among us, we will finish the job.
In
Expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else
Come in
Presently the admiral breezed in
Among
With portions to each of
Distribute this among you.
In
Expressing the situation of being enclosed or surrounded by something
We were locked in
Among
With or against one another
Don't fight among yourselves. See Usage Note at between.
In
Expressing arrival
The train got in very late
Among
Denotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or separable objects. (See Usage Note at amidst.)
How can you speak with authority about their customs when you have never lived among them?
In
(of the tide) rising or at its highest level.
Among
Denotes a belonging of a person or a thing to a group.
He is among the few who completely understand the subject.
In
Present at one's home or office
We knocked at the door but there was no one in
Among
Denotes a sharing of a common feature in a group.
Lactose intolerance is common among people of Asian heritage.
In
Fashionable
The in thing to do
Pastels and light colours are in this year
Among
Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard,And from his presence hid themselves amongThe thickest trees.
In
(of the ball in tennis and similar games) landing within the designated playing area.
Among
Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women.
In
Batting
Which side is in?
Among
Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.; also, a relation of reciprocal action.
What news among the merchants?
Human sacrifices were practiced among them.
Divide that gold amongst you.
Whether they quarreled among themselves, or with their neighbors.
In
A position of influence with someone powerful or famous
She got an in with the promising new artist
In
Within the limits, bounds, or area of
Was hit in the face.
Born in the spring.
A chair in the garden.
In
From the outside to a point within; into
Threw the letter in the wastebasket.
In
To or at a situation or condition of
Was split in two.
In debt.
A woman in love.
In
Having the activity, occupation, or function of
A life in politics.
The officer in command.
In
During the act or process of
Tripped in racing for the bus.
In
With the arrangement or order of
Fabric that fell in luxuriant folds.
Arranged to purchase the car in equal payments.
In
After the style or form of
A poem in iambic pentameter.
In
With the characteristic, attribute, or property of
A tall man in an overcoat.
In
By means of
Paid in cash.
In
Made with or through the medium of
A statue in bronze.
A note written in German.
In
With the aim or purpose of
Followed in pursuit.
In
With reference to
Six inches in depth.
Has faith in your judgment.
In
Used to indicate the second and larger term of a ratio or proportion
Saved only one in ten.
In
To or toward the inside
Opened the door and stepped in.
In
To or toward a destination or goal
The mob closed in.
In
(Sports) So as to score, as by crossing home plate in baseball
Singled the runner in.
In
Within a place, as of business or residence
The manager is in before anyone else.
In
So as to be available or under one's control
We can proceed when all the evidence is in.
In
So as to include or incorporate
Fold in the egg whites.
In
So as to occupy a position of success or favor
Campaigned hard and was voted in.
In
In a particular relationship
Got in bad with their supervisor.
In
Located inside; inner.
In
Incoming; inward
Took the in bus.
In
Holding office; having power
The in party.
In
Currently fashionable
The in thing to wear this season.
In
Concerned with or attuned to the latest fashions
The in crowd.
In
Relating to, understandable to, or coming from an exclusive group
An in reference.
In
One that has position, influence, or power
The ins against the outs.
In
(Informal) Influence; power
Had an in with the authorities.
In
Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or other limits.
In
Contained by.
The dog is in the kennel.
There were three pickles in a jar.
In
Within the bounds or limits of.
I like living in the city.
There are lots of trees in the park.
In
Surrounded by; among; amidst.
We are in the enemy camp.
Her plane is in the air.
Waiter! There's a fly in my soup!
In
Wearing (an item of clothing).
I glanced over at the pretty girl in the red dress.
In
Part of; a member of; out of; from among.
You are one in a million.
She's in an orchestra.
In
During (a period of time).
My birthday is in the first week of December.
Easter falls in the fourth lunar month.
The country reached a high level of prosperity in his first term.
In
Within (a certain elapsed time); by the end of.
Will you be able to finish this in a week?
The massacre resulted in over 1000 deaths in three hours.
In
At the end of (a period of time).
They said they would call us in a week.
In
Characterized by.
Many English nouns in -is form their plurals in -es.
In
Into.
Less water gets in your boots this way.
She stood there looking in the window longingly.
In
Used to indicate limit, qualification, condition, or circumstance.
In replacing the faucet washers, he felt he was making his contribution to the environment.
In
Indicating an order or arrangement.
My fat rolls around in folds.
In
Denoting a state of the subject.
He stalked away in anger.
John is in a coma.
In
Indicates, connotatively, a place-like form of someone's (or something's) personality, as his, her or its psychic and physical characteristics.
You've got a friend in me.
He's met his match in her.
In
Pertaining to; with regard to.
There has been no change in his condition.
What grade did he get in English?
In
Used to indicate means, medium, format, genre, or instrumentality.
In
(of something offered or given in an exchange) In the form of, in the denomination of.
Please pay me in cash — preferably in tens and twenties.
The deposit can be in any legal tender, even in gold.
Her generosity was rewarded in the success of its recipients.
In
Used to indicate a language, script, tone, etc. of a text, speech, etc.
Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5" in C minor is among his most popular.
His speech was in French, but was simultaneously translated into eight languages.
When you write in cursive, it's illegible.
Military letters should be formal in tone, but not stilted.
In
To enclose.
In
To take in; to harvest.
In
At or towards the interior of a defined space, such as a building or room.
Suddenly a strange man walked in.
Would you like that to take away or eat in?
He ran to the edge of the swimming pool and dived in.
In
Towards the speaker or other reference point.
They flew in from London last night.
For six hours the tide flows in, then for another six hours it flows out.
In
So as to be enclosed or surrounded by something.
Bring the water to the boil and drop the vegetables in.
In
After the beginning of something.
The show still didn't become interesting 20 minutes in.
In
(in combination, after a verb) Denotes a gathering of people assembled for the stated activity, sometimes, though not always, suggesting a protest.
Sing-in, pray-in, hug-in; see also be-in, love-in, sit-in, teach-in.
In
A position of power or influence, or a way to get it.
His parents got him an in with the company.
In
One who, or that which, is in; especially, one who is in office.
In
(sport) The state of a batter/batsman who is currently batting; see innings.
In
A re-entrant angle; a nook or corner.
In
Abbreviation of inch; inches
In
(not comparable) Located indoors, especially at home or at one's office or place of work.
Is Mr. Smith in?
In
(not comparable) Located inside something.
Little by little I pushed the snake into the basket, until finally all of it was in.
In
Falling or remaining within the bounds of the playing area.
If the tennis ball bounces on the line then it's in.
In
Inserted or fitted into something.
I've discovered why the TV wasn't working – the plug wasn't in!
In
Having been collected or received.
The replies to the questionnaires are now all in.
In
In fashion; popular.
Skirts are in this year.
In
Incoming.
The in train
In
Furled or stowed.
In
Of the tide, at or near its highest level.
You can't get round the headland when the tide's in.
In
(legal) With privilege or possession; used to denote a holding, possession, or seisin
In by descent;
In by purchase;
In of the seisin of her husband
In
(cricket) Currently batting.
In
Having familiarity or involvement with somebody.
He is very in with the Joneses.
In
(informal) Having a favourable position, such as a position of influence or expected gain, in relation to another person.
I think that bird fancies you. You're in there, mate!
In
(of fire or fuel) Burning; ablaze.
In
The specific signification of in is situation or place with respect to surrounding, environment, encompassment, etc. It is used with verbs signifying being, resting, or moving within limits, or within circumstances or conditions of any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, or investing, either wholly or in part. In its different applications, it approaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among.
In
With reference to space or place; as, he lives in Boston; he traveled in Italy; castles in the air.
The babe lying in a manger.
Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west.
Situated in the forty-first degree of latitude.
Matter for censure in every page.
In
With reference to circumstances or conditions; as, he is in difficulties; she stood in a blaze of light.
Wrapt in sweet sounds, as in bright veils.
In
With reference to a whole which includes or comprises the part spoken of; as, the first in his family; the first regiment in the army.
Nine in ten of those who enter the ministry.
In
With reference to physical surrounding, personal states, etc., abstractly denoted; as, I am in doubt; the room is in darkness; to live in fear.
When shall we three meet again,In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
In
With reference to character, reach, scope, or influence considered as establishing a limitation; as, to be in one's favor.
Sounds inharmonious in themselves, and harsh.
In
With reference to movement or tendency toward a certain limit or environment; - sometimes equivalent to into; as, to put seed in the ground; to fall in love; to end in death; to put our trust in God.
He would not plunge his brother in despair.
She had no jewels to deposit in their caskets.
In
With reference to a limit of time; as, in an hour; it happened in the last century; in all my life.
In
Not out; within; inside. In, the preposition, becomes an adverb by omission of its object, leaving it as the representative of an adverbial phrase, the context indicating what the omitted object is; as, he takes in the situation (i. e., he comprehends it in his mind); the Republicans were in (i. e., in office); in at one ear and out at the other (i. e., in or into the head); his side was in (i. e., in the turn at the bat); he came in (i. e., into the house).
Their vacation . . . falls in so pat with ours.
In
With privilege or possession; - used to denote a holding, possession, or seisin; as, in by descent; in by purchase; in of the seisin of her husband.
In
One who is in office; - the opposite of out.
In
A reëntrant angle; a nook or corner.
All the ins and outs of this neighborhood.
In
To inclose; to take in; to harvest.
He that ears my land spares my team and gives me leave to in the crop.
In
A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
In
A rare soft silvery metallic element; occurs in small quantities in sphalerite
In
A state in midwestern United States
In
Holding office;
The in party
In
Directed or bound inward;
Took the in bus
The in basket
In
Currently fashionable;
The in thing to do
Large shoulder pads are in
In
To or toward the inside of;
Come in
Smash in the door
In
Inside an enclosed space
Common Curiosities
Can "in" be used to describe a temporal condition?
Yes, "in" is often used to denote time, as in "in the morning" or "in 2020."
What scenarios are best suited for the preposition "among"?
"Among" is most appropriate when referring to indistinct or undefined locations within a group or collective.
Is "among" only used for physical locations?
No, "among" can also indicate figurative relationships or distributions, such as "among the highest ranked."
How do "in" and "among" function differently in terms of grammar?
"In" is typically associated with singular and specific contexts, while "among" is used with plural and more general contexts.
When is it appropriate to use "in" in a sentence?
"In" is used to indicate location, time, or state, especially when specifying something more definite or contained.
Is there a number limit for using "among"?
While there's no strict rule, "among" is generally used when referring to three or more entities or elements.
What is a typical error in using "among" in sentences?
A common mistake is using "among" when precise, specific relationships or locations are implied, which would require "in."
Are there any exceptions to the general rules for "in" and "among"?
Idiomatic expressions often form exceptions, where the usage of prepositions like "in" and "among" doesn't strictly follow general grammatical rules.
Can "in" imply a condition besides location?
Yes, "in" can denote being part of a state or situation, such as "in love" or "in danger."
Can "among" be used to describe feelings or abstract concepts?
Yes, "among" can describe abstract relations, like "among the best" or "feeling isolated among strangers."
Can "in" and "among" be used in legal or formal documents?
Yes, both prepositions are commonly used in legal and formal contexts, each according to its specific implication of location or relationship.
How does the use of "in" affect the clarity of a sentence?
Using "in" can provide more precise information about location, time, or condition, thereby enhancing clarity.
Is "in" suitable for indicating membership?
Yes, "in" can indicate membership within a group, such as "in a club" or "in an association."
How do cultural differences impact the use of "in" and "among"?
There might be slight variations in usage depending on dialects or regional English, but generally, the rules remain consistent across English-speaking cultures.
How can one improve accuracy in using "in" and "among"?
Understanding the context and number of entities involved can greatly improve the accuracy of using "in" and "among" correctly. Regular practice and reading can also help.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
