a division of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a division of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific part or segment of a larger organization or entity. Example: "The marketing team is a division of the larger corporate structure that focuses on brand development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ParentWatch is now a division of Arrowsight.

The New York Times

(It is now a division of PepsiCo).

The New York Times

A division of the United Nations?

The New York Times

"You get a division of labor.

The New Yorker

They lie within a division of Cleveland National Forest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

AOL is a division of Time Warner.

The New York Times

It's just a division of assets.

The New York Times

"There's a division of labor here".

The New York Times - Food

Modern democracies have a division of power.

The New York Times

JPL is a division of Caltech.

University of California, Berkeley

(Jeep is a division of Chrysler and Cadillac is a division of General Motors).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, “a division of” helps specify which area or branch is being discussed, which is particularly useful in legal, business, or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using “a division of” when referring to abstract concepts like emotions or opinions. Instead, use phrases like “a difference in” or “a separation of” to better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a division of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is a distinct part or unit within a larger entity or organization. Ludwig's examples show its wide usage in defining organizational structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a division of" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is a distinct part or unit within a larger entity. As supported by Ludwig's examples, this phrase sees frequent use in contexts ranging from News & Media to Encyclopedias and Science. The phrase serves to specify inclusion and define relationships within organizational structures. While versatile, it's best suited for formal and neutral registers, particularly when describing entities, organizations, or corporations. The phrase should be replaced by alternatives such as "a segment of" or "a unit of" when referring to more abstract concepts such as feelings or non-tangible things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a segment of

Replaces 'division' with 'segment', emphasizing a portion or section of a larger entity.

a branch of

Substitutes 'division' with 'branch', suggesting a related but distinct part of a larger organization.

a unit of

Replaces 'division' with 'unit', highlighting a functional component within a system.

a department of

Uses 'department' instead of 'division', commonly used in organizational contexts.

a section of

Employs 'section' to denote a specific part of something larger.

a component of

Replaces 'division' with 'component', focusing on the role as a constituent part.

a subsidiary of

Suggests a degree of independence while remaining part of the main entity.

a member of

Indicates belonging to a group or organization, differing slightly from a structural division.

an element of

Focuses on being a basic part or aspect of something, deviating from a hierarchical division.

a piece of

Denotes a smaller, often physical, part of something, less formal than 'division'.

FAQs

How can I use "a division of" in a sentence?

Use "a division of" to specify a particular department, unit, or section within a larger organization. For example, "The marketing department is "a division of" the company responsible for brand promotion".

What's a good alternative to "a division of"?

Alternatives include "a segment of", "a branch of", or "a unit of", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "a division in" instead of "a division of"?

While "a division in" can be correct when referring to a separation or disagreement, "a division of" is typically used to describe a part of an organization. For example, "There is "a division in" opinions on the matter", but "The sales team is "a division of" the company".

How does "a division of labor" differ from "a division of" in an organizational sense?

"A division of labor" refers to the specialization of tasks within a system, while "a division of" describes a structural unit within an organization. They are related concepts but serve different purposes. The first one explains how activities are organized, while the second one explains how a company is structured.