(Illustrated version of Word Wizards)


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Stuck in the Middle

-amid, among, amidst, amongst, between, midst-

From each set, make the best choice for contemporary American writing:

  1. I have to choose (among /between ) Amy and Debbie.
  2. I woke up (amid/amidst /between ) an army of ants.
  3. I found calm (amidst/in the midst of ) that storm.
  4. He said that he didn't want to be counted (amid /among /amongst /between ) the lily-livered cowards.
  5. (Among /Between /Midst ) you and me, I wouldn't take her car if she paid me.
  6. Am I going to be sent to live (amid /amidst /among /amongst /between ) the grammatical philistines?
  7. Usually, I like to take my tea (amid /amidst /among /amongst ) the roses.
  8. Now and then, I like to take tea in the (amid /amidst /midst ) of a construction project.
  9. The fast-paced interactions (among /amongst /between the panel members kept everyone in the audience interested.

For an explanation of amid, among, amidst, amongst, between, and midst, see Quirks of English.