For example:
" It was while I was living amongst the ##### tribe of ##### ... "
Should the "While" be "Whilst" ?
Should the "Amongst" be "Among" ?
2007-09-20 14:22:12 · 7 answers · asked by DaN 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
PS. The example given is just that, it's not a line from some English coursework or something - just a question I've wondered about for a while.
2007-09-21 03:37:39 · update #1
English is an evolving language; words die and new ones are born. "Whilst" and "amongst" are on their last legs, quaint holdovers from a more genteel time. They have seen better times when cucumber sandwiches were de rigueur for high teas. Superannuated with affection by their young cousins "while" and "among".
2007-09-21 00:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by Norm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Either way is correct. It's a matter of personal preference. These days, less is better. For instance, when we type on a computer, we use only one space after a full stop, whereas we always used two on a typewriter. Underlining is another thing of the past. Now we put things in italics instead. Speech is often enclosed with only one quote mark instead of two. So I'd suggest you update your thinking and accept the dates as suggested by the woman who compiles. (Also, we don't refer to September 11th do we? It's always September 11.)
2016-05-19 21:46:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the New Oxford dictionary of English (1998) on page 2103 - the correct usage is WHILE.
However, according to the same source on page 55 both among and amongst can be correctly used within this context.
Among/Amongst is a preposition (of place) and if followed by another preposition of place people often prefer to use the amongst version - for example:
He was hidden in amongst the trees... 'in' is also a preposition of place.... where as in your example, the word is followed by a verb ' living' so people are more likely to use the form 'among. For example... I was living among them.
2007-09-20 19:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by Pagan Pip 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
According to Fowler's 'Usage & Abusage' published many years ago, there is no difference. Indeed he could see no reason for the use of "whilst" or "amongst" that wasn't adequately covered by the simpler words. This book was used for many years as the style guide by language professionals.
2007-09-20 20:48:58 · answer #4 · answered by Duffer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary they are the same. Although I prefer "whilst" and "amongst" (I am very old) they tend to be considered "old fashioned" so I suppose "while" and "among" are "cool"!
2007-09-20 14:43:58 · answer #5 · answered by ciswo2000 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
During the time I lived with the Umbala tribe.....
2007-09-20 14:26:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
or
whilst i was living among
2007-09-20 14:29:26 · answer #7 · answered by ξήĢŁĭŞĦ ŗǾşξ ©® ღஐღ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋