Among vs. Across: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Refers to inclusion or involvement within a group.
Denotes extending or being situated from one side to another.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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Contextual Use
Intra-group interactions, shared environment.
Spanning, ranging over a distance or interval.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Conveyance
Relationship or connection with group members.
Transversal, breadthwise action or location.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Application
More about internal relations within a group or collective.
Concerned with breadth, extension, and coverage.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Positioning Aspect
Reflects interaction inside a set or collective.
Reflects transversal positioning or movement.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Among and Across Definitions
Among
Among signifies being included or involved with a group.
Unity among team members is crucial for success.

Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
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Across
Across denotes extending from one side to the other.
He walked across the street.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Among
Among illustrates being part of a larger whole.
She found comfort among friends.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Among
Among implies mutual relations within a set.
Agreement among the nations was hard to achieve.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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Among
Among reflects shared circumstances or environments.
There is a traitor among us.

Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Among
In the company of; in association with
Traveling among a group of tourists.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
By many or the entire number of; with many
A custom popular among the Greeks.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful
Put our idea across.
Get a message across.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
With or against one another
Don't fight among yourselves. See Usage Note at between.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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?

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
Denotes a belonging of a person or a thing to a group.
He is among the few who completely understand the subject.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
Across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
Denotes a sharing of a common feature in a group.
Lactose intolerance is common among people of Asian heritage.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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?

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard,And from his presence hid themselves amongThe thickest trees.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Among
Among conveys a sense of distribution within a collective.
The apples are distributed among the children.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
From one side to the other.
She helped the blind man across;
The river is half a mile across

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
Placed crosswise;
Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers
Crossed forks
Seated with arms across

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Across
Across illustrates spanning over a distance or interval.
The news spread rapidly across the city.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Across
Across conveys positioning on the opposite side.
The bank is located across the river.

Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Across
Across signifies a breadthwise location or action.
She drew a line across the page.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Across
Across reflects traversal or coverage over a range.
He traveled across the country.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
FAQs
How is across defined?
Across is defined as extending, ranging, or being situated from one side to another.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Does across depict movement?
Yes, across often depicts movement from one side to another side.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
What does among imply?
Among implies inclusion or involvement within a group or collective.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Can among reflect mutual relations within a group?
Yes, among reflects mutual relations or shared circumstances within a group.

Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Does across convey breadthwise action or location?
Yes, across conveys breadthwise action, location, or positioning.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Is among suitable for indicating shared environment?
Yes, among is suitable for indicating a shared environment or common circumstances within a group.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Can among be used to describe distribution?
Yes, among can describe distribution within a collective or group.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Does among signify being part of a larger whole?
Yes, among signifies being part of a larger whole or collective.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Is the word among associated with communal participation?
Yes, the word among is often associated with communal participation and mutual relations.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Does across reflect transversal positioning or movement?
Yes, across reflects transversal positioning, movement, and the concept of breadth.

Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Can among illustrate internal interactions within a set?
Yes, among illustrates internal interactions or relations within a set or collective.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
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.

Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
Can across denote a position on the opposite side?
Yes, across can denote positioning on the opposite side of a reference point.

Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
