are divided by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are divided by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical contexts or when discussing the separation of items or groups. Example: "The total number of participants are divided by the number of teams to determine the team size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The displays are divided by medium.

The New York Times

If unified in spirit, they are divided by broken telephones.

The New York Times

First they are divided by weeks, then only by days.

The Guardian - Books

Those football hotbeds are divided by 100 miles.

The New York Times - Sports

Iraqis are divided by religious, ethnic, tribal and ideological schisms.

The New York Times

In death as in life, Malaysians are divided by ethnicity.

The New York Times

The two theatres are divided by more than geography.

The Guardian

The countries are divided by a range of high mountains.

The Guardian

Black voters in the district are divided by this argument.

The New York Times

Most writers' hearts are divided by ambition and self-doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Men and women alike are divided by von Trier's films.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are divided by" to clearly indicate the criteria or method used to separate elements or groups. Ensure the context specifies what is doing the dividing.

Common error

Avoid using "are divided by" when an active construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The tasks are divided by the team members", consider "The team members divide the tasks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are divided by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject is being separated or distinguished by a particular factor. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its application across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are divided by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate separation or distinction. As Ludwig confirms, it commonly appears in news, scientific literature, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the dividing factor and consider whether an active voice construction might offer greater clarity. While alternatives like "are separated by" exist, "are divided by" provides a specific nuance implying a structured or intentional distinction. According to the source quality metrics, the phrase scores high in authoritative and reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are separated by

This phrase directly replaces "divided" with "separated", emphasizing physical or conceptual distinctions.

are split by

Similar to "divided", but often implies a more forceful or abrupt separation.

are distinguished by

This alternative focuses on the characteristic differences that set apart various elements.

are demarcated by

This phrase implies a clear marking of boundaries between elements.

are partitioned by

Suggests a more structured or formal division, often into distinct sections.

are characterized by

Highlights the unique attributes that cause a distinction.

are bounded by

Focuses on the limits or borders that create the division.

are defined by

Indicates that the division is a result of specific defining criteria.

are fragmented by

Implies that division has led to a broken or scattered state.

are intersected by

Highlights the points or lines where elements cross and create division.

FAQs

How can I use "are divided by" in a sentence?

The phrase "are divided by" is used to indicate that something is separated or distinguished by a specific factor. For example, "The students "are divided by" age groups", or "The countries "are divided by" a mountain range".

What's a good alternative to "are divided by"?

Alternatives to "are divided by" include "are separated by", "are distinguished by", or "are split by", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "are divided by" or "are separated by"?

Both "are divided by" and "are separated by" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Are divided by" may imply a more structured or intentional separation, while "are separated by" can suggest a broader or more general distinction.

When should I use "are divided by" instead of "divide"?

Use "are divided by" when you want to emphasize the object being acted upon (passive voice). Use "divide" when you want to emphasize the actor performing the action (active voice). For example, "The tasks "are divided by" the team leads" (passive) versus "The team leads divide the tasks" (active).