Among vs. Across

Among vs. Across — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Among and Across

Amongpreposition

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?

Acrosspreposition

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.

Amongpreposition

Denotes a belonging of a person or a thing to a group.

He is among the few who completely understand the subject.

Acrosspreposition

On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).

That store is across the street.

Amongpreposition

Denotes a sharing of a common feature in a group.

Lactose intolerance is common among people of Asian heritage.

Acrosspreposition

across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).

ADVERTISEMENT

Acrosspreposition

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?

Acrosspreposition

At or near the far end of (a space).

Acrosspreposition

Spanning.

This poetry speaks across the centuries.

Acrosspreposition

Throughout.

All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.

Acrosspreposition

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.

Acrosspreposition

In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.

As a newspaper reporter, you should be across all these issues.
ADVERTISEMENT

Acrossadverb

From one side to the other.

she helped the blind man across;the river is half a mile across

Acrossadverb

On the other side.

If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?

Acrossadverb

In a particular direction.

He leaned across for a book.

Acrossadverb

(crosswords) Horizontally.

I got stuck on 4 across.

Acrossnoun

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.1 Bygone hangout for 64-Acrosses

Acrossadjective

placed crosswise;

spoken with a straight face but crossed fingerscrossed forksseated with arms across

Acrossadverb

to the opposite side;

the football field was 300 feet across

Acrossadverb

in such a manner as to be understood and accepted;

she cannot get her ideas across

Acrossadverb

transversely;

the marble slabs were cut across