Among vs. Across: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
Among refers to being included or involved with a group, while across denotes extending, ranging, or being situated on the other side.
Key Differences
Among is primarily used to convey inclusion or involvement with a group or collectivity. It implies a relationship or connection with the members of a group, highlighting an internal interaction or presence. Across, on the other hand, is a versatile preposition that usually denotes a position or movement from one side to another side, indicating a transversal, breadthwise action or location.
The word among is often used when referring to situations involving groups of people, items, or other entities. It signals a shared environment or a collective setting, illustrating a sense of communal participation or mutual relation. In contrast, across serves to depict the idea of spanning or covering from one end or side to another, illustrating the concept of breadth or extension.
Among emphasizes intra-group interactions or commonality, and it can signify being part of a larger whole or collective. It is suitable for conveying notions of distribution, mixture, or shared circumstances within a group. Conversely, across can be used to express varied notions such as movement across a distance, reaching over an interval, or extending over a range, focusing on the notion of coverage or passage.
The nuanced distinction between among and across is essential in formulating coherent and precise expressions. Among is more about internal relations within a collective or group, reflecting interaction or commonality inside a set. Across, however, concerns itself with transversal positioning or movement, reflecting the concepts of span, extension, and breadth, thus creating a broader range of application compared to among.
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Refers to inclusion or involvement within a group.
Denotes extending or being situated from one side to another.
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Contextual Use
Intra-group interactions, shared environment.
Spanning, ranging over a distance or interval.
Conveyance
Relationship or connection with group members.
Transversal, breadthwise action or location.
Application
More about internal relations within a group or collective.
Concerned with breadth, extension, and coverage.
Positioning Aspect
Reflects interaction inside a set or collective.
Reflects transversal positioning or movement.
Among and Across Definitions
Among
Among signifies being included or involved with a group.
Unity among team members is crucial for success.
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Across
Across denotes extending from one side to the other.
He walked across the street.
Among
Among illustrates being part of a larger whole.
She found comfort among friends.
Across
On, at, or from the other side of
Across the street.
Among
Among implies mutual relations within a set.
Agreement among the nations was hard to achieve.
Across
So as to cross; through
Drew lines across the paper.
Among
Among reflects shared circumstances or environments.
There is a traitor among us.
Across
From one side of to the other
A bridge across a river.
Among
In the midst of; surrounded by
A pine tree among cedars.
Across
Into contact with
Came across my old roommate.
Among
In the group, number, or class of
She is among the wealthy.
Across
From one side to the other
The footbridge swayed when I ran across.
Among
In the company of; in association with
Traveling among a group of tourists.
Across
On or to the opposite side
We came across by ferry.
Among
By many or the entire number of; with many
A custom popular among the Greeks.
Across
Crosswise; crossed.
Among
By the joint action of
Among us, we will finish the job.
Across
In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful
Put our idea across.
Get a message across.
Among
With portions to each of
Distribute this among you.
Across
Being in a crossed position
Seated with arms across.
Among
With or against one another
Don't fight among yourselves. See Usage Note at between.
Across
To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
We rowed across the river.
Fortunately, there was a bridge across the river.
He came across the street to meet me.
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?
Across
On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.
Among
Denotes a belonging of a person or a thing to a group.
He is among the few who completely understand the subject.
Across
Across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
Among
Denotes a sharing of a common feature in a group.
Lactose intolerance is common among people of Asian heritage.
Across
From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).
The meteor streaked across the sky.
He walked across the room.
Could you slide that across the table to me, please?
Among
Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard,And from his presence hid themselves amongThe thickest trees.
Across
At or near the far end of (a space).
Among
Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women.
Across
Spanning.
This poetry speaks across the centuries.
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.
Across
Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.
Among
Among conveys a sense of distribution within a collective.
The apples are distributed among the children.
Across
So as to intersect or pass through or over at an angle.
Lay the top stick across the bottom one.
She had straps fastened across the conduit every six feet.
Across
In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.
Across
From one side to the other.
She helped the blind man across;
The river is half a mile across
Across
On the other side.
If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?
Across
In a particular direction.
He leaned across for a book.
Across
(crosswords) Horizontally.
I got stuck on 4 across.
Across
A word that runs horizontally in the completed puzzle grid or its associated clue.
I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.
Across
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.
Across
From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across.
Across
Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.
Across
Placed crosswise;
Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers
Crossed forks
Seated with arms across
Across
To the opposite side;
The football field was 300 feet across
Across
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across
Across
Transversely;
The marble slabs were cut across
Across
Across illustrates spanning over a distance or interval.
The news spread rapidly across the city.
Across
Across conveys positioning on the opposite side.
The bank is located across the river.
Across
Across signifies a breadthwise location or action.
She drew a line across the page.
Across
Across reflects traversal or coverage over a range.
He traveled across the country.
FAQs
How is across defined?
Across is defined as extending, ranging, or being situated from one side to another.
Does across depict movement?
Yes, across often depicts movement from one side to another side.
What does among imply?
Among implies inclusion or involvement within a group or collective.
Can among reflect mutual relations within a group?
Yes, among reflects mutual relations or shared circumstances within a group.
Does across convey breadthwise action or location?
Yes, across conveys breadthwise action, location, or positioning.
Is across used to illustrate span or extension?
Yes, across is used to illustrate the idea of spanning or extending over a distance or interval.
Is among suitable for indicating shared environment?
Yes, among is suitable for indicating a shared environment or common circumstances within a group.
Can among be used to describe distribution?
Yes, among can describe distribution within a collective or group.
Does among signify being part of a larger whole?
Yes, among signifies being part of a larger whole or collective.
Is the word among associated with communal participation?
Yes, the word among is often associated with communal participation and mutual relations.
Does across reflect transversal positioning or movement?
Yes, across reflects transversal positioning, movement, and the concept of breadth.
Can among illustrate internal interactions within a set?
Yes, among illustrates internal interactions or relations within a set or collective.
Can the word across be used to express coverage over a range?
Yes, the word across can express coverage, traversal, or extension over a range or interval.
Is understanding the difference between among and across essential for precise expressions?
Yes, understanding the nuanced distinction between among and across is essential for formulating coherent and precise expressions.
Can across denote a position on the opposite side?
Yes, across can denote positioning on the opposite side of a reference point.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
