break up into groups

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break up into groups" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are being divided into smaller teams or sections for a specific purpose, such as a discussion or activity. Example: "For this project, we will break up into groups of four to brainstorm ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We break up into groups of two or three, with at least one woman and one man in each, and conduct focus groups with both men and women assistant professors.

Stanford University

SOLOISTS OF THE LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA As part of the orchestra's Carnegie Hall residency, its members break up into groups to play chamber music.

The New Yorker

The ice also seems to have forced the colony, which a few years ago had about 2,400 adults, to break up into groups.

The New York Times - Science

I then asked students to break up into groups, and I assigned each group a different article about a particular bombing that had taken place during the first weeks of the War in Iraq.

University of California, Berkeley

If we truly want to endorse the idea of science, let's break up into groups and fan out across America: let us talk quietly to people from Alabama to Maine and Alaska about evolution and climate change.

The New Yorker

But that was only the beginning of the over-hyped drama, as the judges told the remaining 185 contestants to break up into groups of five, choose a song, arrange it and develop some choreography for a performance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Early rehearsals were broken up into groups of about 200, and consisted of a four-hour aerobics classes, as we mastered our routines.

The Guardian - Sport

At the Zahawi school - known to the US third armoured cavalry regiment as bravo one four - they stood for up to four hours to make their mark, broken up into groups of about a dozen, leaving gaps, to make the crowd a less tempting target for suicide bombers.

The Guardian

The attendees were broken up into groups of four tables to brainstorm and evaluate a list of 27 strategies already culled from prior workshops.

Los Angeles Times

When validation sets were broken up into groups of animals with or without sire in the training data, there was substantial variation in the accuracy of prediction between groups and between bulls and cows.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

We broke up into groups of roughly 8 people and, for ten minutes, co-edited the bill of rights.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dividing into groups for discussions, assign specific roles or tasks within each group to encourage participation and focused engagement with the topic.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "break up into groups" without providing guidance on group size, composition, or task. This can lead to inefficient grouping and hinder the activity's success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break up into groups" functions as an instructional verb phrase, directing a group of people to divide themselves into smaller units. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in academic, news, and collaborative settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break up into groups" serves as a straightforward instruction to divide a larger assembly into smaller units for collaborative tasks. Ludwig's analysis of the phrase across various sources indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage in academic, news, and informal contexts. While straightforward, the phrase benefits from clear guidance on group size and objectives. Alternatives like "divide into sections" or "split into teams" offer subtle variations in formality and purpose. Understanding the contexts and nuances of "break up into groups" is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split into teams

Implies a division with a competitive or collaborative objective.

separate into units

Implies a structured and distinct division, suitable for formal contexts.

divide into sections

Emphasizes a more structured and planned division of people.

disperse into subgroups

Implies a spreading out into smaller, less structured groupings.

form smaller clusters

Suggests a less formal and more organic grouping.

section off into divisions

Suggests a clear and formal separation into distinct parts.

arrange into cohorts

Suggests grouping based on shared characteristics or experiences.

subdivide into factions

Highlights a division into groups with potentially conflicting interests.

organize into syndicates

Implies a structured and collaborative grouping for a specific purpose.

distribute into cells

Emphasizes a decentralized and independent grouping.

FAQs

How can I use "break up into groups" in a sentence?

You can use "break up into groups" to instruct people to form smaller teams for a specific activity. For example, "Let's "break up into groups" of four to discuss the project requirements".

What are some alternatives to "break up into groups"?

Alternatives include "divide into sections", "split into teams", or "form smaller clusters", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "break up into groups" or "divide into groups"?

"Break up into groups" and "divide into groups" are similar, but "divide into groups" may sound more formal. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

How do I specify group size when using "break up into groups"?

You can specify the group size by adding a phrase like ""break up into groups" of three" or ""break up into groups" with no more than five people".