a split formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a split formation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as military tactics, sports strategies, or any situation where a group is divided into separate parts or sections. Example: "The team adopted a split formation to confuse their opponents and create openings for attack."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

With a split-formation format, teams are able to budget and make the necessary accommodations.

The New York Times

Squadron leader Bobby Bremner, first to split formation, bagged a few biplanes by lowering his undercarriage while waggling his wings and looping the loop.

The Guardian - Music

And yet this is perhaps the way of this team, with its split formation – too often a kind of 4-0-6 – and its weight toward the attacking end of things.

The Guardian - Sport

The model is based on the fracture mechanics of microcracks and split formation between the fibres during kink-band formation or splitting.

Mechanics of Materials

This, and its policy of excluding married women from any extension of the franchise, led to a split in 1888, with the formation of a breakaway "Central National Society CNSNS).

Wikipedia

With this term, several diseases are encompassed that are all characterized by the formation of a split (vesicle or bulla) in any layer of the epidermis or beneath it, at the dermoepidermal junction.

BMC Veterinary Research

In the unlikely event that the Adams and McGuinness leadership did engineer an IRA handover, it would almost certainly provoke a split within Republican ranks and the formation of a new IRA dissident group, a Real IRA Mark Two.

The Guardian

After a split led by Alice Paul and her formation of the National Woman's Party, NAWSA adopted the "Winning Plan" in an attempt to tap the energy and enthusiasm of the organization for a final push toward a federal amendment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just a split second".

The New York Times - Sports

A split second passed.

The New York Times

"This is a split".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategic positioning in sports or military contexts, use "a split formation" to clearly denote a tactical division of forces or players for enhanced maneuverability or broadened coverage.

Common error

Avoid using "a split formation" merely as a descriptive term for any divided group. Ensure it implies a strategic intent, such as creating tactical advantages or responding to specific environmental demands, rather than just a random or coincidental separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a split formation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Given Ludwig AI's analysis, it is grammatically correct and used to describe a specific type of arrangement or positioning.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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0%

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the analysis indicates that the phrase "a split formation" is a grammatically sound noun phrase generally used to describe a strategic arrangement or division. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct in written English. While currently categorized as "Missing" in terms of frequency due to the lack of examples in the provided data, its intended use typically leans toward professional and technical contexts, such as military strategy or sports tactics. Employing this phrase effectively requires understanding the strategic intent behind the division, ensuring it's not merely a descriptive term for any divided group, but one with a specific purpose or advantage in mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided arrangement

Replaces "split" with "divided" and "formation" with "arrangement", focusing on the act of dividing something into parts or sections.

separated configuration

Uses "separated" instead of "split" and "configuration" instead of "formation", emphasizing the state of being apart and the overall structure.

partitioned grouping

Employs "partitioned" to convey the idea of dividing and "grouping" to refer to the collective, altering the emphasis slightly.

fragmented array

Substitutes "split" with "fragmented" suggesting broken into pieces and "formation" with "array", focusing on a dispersed arrangement.

bifurcated structure

Replaces "split" with "bifurcated", indicating a division into two branches, and "formation" with "structure", emphasizing the resulting framework.

divergent alignment

Uses "divergent" to imply moving apart and "alignment" instead of "formation", focusing on the arrangement and direction.

disjointed assembly

Employs "disjointed" to suggest disconnected parts and "assembly" to refer to the collective, altering the nuance.

detached grouping

Substitutes "split" with "detached", indicating separation, and retains "grouping" for the collective entity.

isolated segments

Replaces "split" and "formation" with words emphasizing the separateness and the individual parts.

segregated arrangement

Uses "segregated" to convey the idea of being separated and "arrangement" instead of "formation", changing the emphasis slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "a split formation" in a sentence?

You can use "a split formation" to describe strategic positioning, such as, "The team adopted "a split formation" to better cover the field." or "The troops advanced in "a split formation" to minimize casualties during the assault."

What are some alternatives to "a split formation"?

Alternatives to "a split formation" include phrases like "divided arrangement", "separated configuration", or "fragmented array", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "a split formation" commonly used?

"A split formation" is often used in military strategy, sports tactics, and organizational planning to describe a deliberate division of resources or personnel for strategic advantage or operational efficiency.

Is "split formation" ever used without the article "a"?

While "split formation" can be used attributively (e.g., "split formation strategy"), using the article "a" before "split formation" is grammatically correct when it functions as a noun phrase describing a specific instance of dividing into a formation.