break into teams

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break into teams" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of dividing a group into smaller teams for a specific purpose, such as a project or activity. Example: "For the group project, we will break into teams to tackle different sections of the assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

First, players break into teams and take on the roles of fierce competitors (and sometimes other constituencies, such as customers).

The Economist

During the program, students learn seven engineering principles and then break into teams to apply those to a particular project.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They typically break into teams using a variety of tools and techniques, including the auger-wielding survey team, which walks predetermined transects and digs holes at regular intervals.

Harvard University

Each spring for the last class, instead of a review session, students break into teams and design a superhero comic that has as many concepts from the class as possible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Outlining the summer plans for the panel, Mr. Kean said that its members would break into teams of one Republican and one Democrat each, traveling to speak discuss the recommendations and urge their adoption.

The New York Times

Staff meet once a week by grade and subject, and break into teams to work on problems of their choice – at one school, the teachers had rearranged their floor plan so that teachers from the same grade level shared an office.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Right away I knew I was in a different place when we broke into teams and Barone threw out what is known as a futsal ball.

The New York Times - Sports

With 58 first-years participating in the effort, the students are broken into teams with different responsibilities including design, construction and T-shirt sales to raise funds for the project, including material costs.

Cornell University

On tomorrow's episode, the crew is broken into teams and tasked with renovating a spectacular New York town house, though apparently they're not allowed to build anything, or change the walls, fixtures, ceilings, floors, bathrooms or kitchen.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Worlton said they were broken into teams and given radiological data from two old American nuclear tests, whose identities remained hidden, and were instructed to try to name them.

The New York Times

It is not just him, there are a lot of English players breaking into teams.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break into teams", ensure that the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal of forming the teams. For instance, specify the task or objective the teams will be working on.

Common error

Avoid using "break into teams" when a simple division or separation is intended without a team-based objective. Use more general terms like "divide" or "separate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break into teams" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of dividing a group into smaller teams. This action is often performed to facilitate collaboration or competition, as seen in the Ludwig examples where students or professionals "break into teams" for projects, games, or problem-solving exercises.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break into teams" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe the act of dividing a group into smaller teams for collaborative or competitive purposes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English across various contexts, including academia, news, and general discussions. While not as common as some alternatives, its usage is clear and direct. When using "break into teams", it's important to ensure that the context indicates the purpose or goal of forming the teams. The phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing team formation in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

form teams

Emphasizes the action of creating teams.

divide into groups

Focuses on splitting a larger group into smaller units.

organize into teams

Highlights the act of structuring groups for a specific purpose.

group up

A more casual way to suggest forming teams.

separate into working groups

Emphasizes the functional aspect of the teams.

split into factions

Suggests division into competing groups.

arrange into task forces

Suggests forming teams for a specific task or project.

assemble into squads

Similar to forming teams, often used in a more formal setting.

subdivide into units

Focuses on creating smaller, manageable units.

cluster into groups

Suggests a more informal and organic team formation.

FAQs

How can I use "break into teams" in a sentence?

You can use "break into teams" to describe the action of dividing a larger group into smaller teams, often for a specific task or activity. Example: "For the workshop, we will "break into teams" to brainstorm different solutions."

What's a good alternative to "break into teams"?

Alternatives include "form teams", "divide into groups", or "split into factions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "break up into teams" instead of "break into teams"?

While "break into teams" is more common, "break up into teams" can also be used, though it may imply a more forceful or disruptive division. "Break into teams" is generally a clearer and more direct way to express the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "break into teams" versus other similar phrases?

"Break into teams" is appropriate when the intention is to form structured groups to collaborate on a task. If the emphasis is simply on dividing a group, ""divide into groups"" might be more suitable. Use phrases like "split into factions" when suggesting a division into competing groups.