[Vocabulary] Formal & Informal Words

[Anne59]

Hi everyone,

I've just learned that "among" and "amongst" mean the same and so does "amid" and "amidst" but "amongst" and "amidst" are more formal. So, my question is are there any more words which are similar? Perhaps like these, or "in" and "within". I've been looking for a website but can't find one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would not say that "amongst" is formal. I would say it is archaic.

 

[Anne59]

Archaic! My teacher only said formal and uncommon!

 

[SoothingDave]

Well, it is more common in BrE, but still not as common as "among." In AmE, you almost never hear it, unless someone is going for a certain effect.

 

[Anne59]

Okay thanks. Do you know of any others?

 

[Matthew Wai]

How about 'on' and 'upon', and 'beneath' and 'underneath'?

 

[SoothingDave]

How about 'on' and 'upon', and 'beneath' and 'underneath'?

I don't see any question of formality with those.

"Upon" is sort of old fashioned in literal use. Beneath/underneath are the same in most contexts to me.

 

[Skrej]

I would say you could nowadays say 'whom' is formal use only.

Technically of course, 'who' should only be used for the subjective case, and 'whom' for the objective case, but correct usage of 'whom' is quickly becoming a formality. You'll actually rarely hear 'whom' being used anymore, at least in AmE.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I know a lot of Americans who say "whom".