broken into groups

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken into groups" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of dividing a larger set of items or people into smaller, manageable sections or categories. Example: "The students were broken into groups for the project to encourage collaboration and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When it came to anatomy, the 168 students were broken into groups of six for 34 two- and three-hour dissection classes.

The New York Times

The volunteers were broken into groups, each of which watched a certain number of films while remaining ignorant of what the other groups were seeing.

The New York Times

To mark the Clean Water Act's 40th anniversary, the Wyland Foundation has invited cities across the nation — broken into groups by population — to compete at collecting pledges by individuals to cut down on water and energy use in the month of April.

The New York Times

The clowns are then broken into groups where they learn routines together.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some students yawn or stare into space when they break into groups.

The New York Times

Then employees broke into groups to discuss new techniques to improve the taste and texture of drinks.

The New York Times

Leaders broke into groups that mixed rich and poor, North and South, East and West, to thrash out ideas.

The New York Times

At a third, they broke into groups of four to discuss how they would respond to a hypothetical situation.

The New York Times

The meeting room included modular couches and armchairs as well as classroom-style tables, allowing participants to break into groups.

The New York Times

Snacking on doughnut holes, coffee and cider, those at the caucus broke into groups to support candidates.

The New York Times

The class broke into groups and began cutting forty-five-degree notches into the dummy trees, which began to look like drunken totem poles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broken into groups", ensure the context clearly explains the criteria for the grouping. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "break into" (meaning to enter illegally) when you mean "broken into" (meaning divided). For example, "The data was broken into groups" is correct, while "The data was break into groups" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken into groups" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has been acted upon and divided into smaller units. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken into groups" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe the division of a larger entity into smaller sections, according to Ludwig. It serves the purpose of organizing, analyzing, or facilitating collaboration. The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for news, science, and business contexts. While "divided into groups", "split into groups" and "separated into groups" offer similar meanings, "broken into groups" is particularly useful when emphasizing the act of partitioning and restructuring a whole into its parts. Remember to avoid confusing it with "break into", which has a different meaning entirely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided into subgroups

Replaces "groups" with "subgroups", implying a further division of already existing groups.

split into sections

Uses "split" instead of "broken" and "sections" instead of "groups", providing a more general alternative.

separated into teams

Employs "separated" and specifies "teams", suggesting a purpose-driven division.

organized into categories

Focuses on the act of organizing and using categories for the division.

partitioned into segments

Uses more formal terms, suitable for technical or formal contexts.

clustered into sets

Suggests a grouping based on similarities or relationships.

sectioned off into units

Implies a physical or structural division into defined units.

subdivided into lots

Suitable for dividing land or items into smaller portions.

assorted into classes

Highlights the act of sorting and categorizing into distinct classes.

fragmented into components

Suggests a breaking down into smaller, often essential, parts.

FAQs

How can I use "broken into groups" in a sentence?

Use "broken into groups" to describe the act of dividing a larger entity into smaller sections or categories. For example, "The students were "broken into groups" for the science project".

What's a simpler way to say "broken into groups"?

Alternatives include "divided into groups", "split into groups", or "separated into groups", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "break into groups" or "broken into groups"?

"Broken into groups" is the correct passive construction when describing something that has been divided. "Break into groups" is an active command, such as "Now, "break into groups" of four".

What's the difference between "broken into groups" and "broken down into groups"?

"Broken into groups" simply means divided into smaller sections. "Broken down into groups" implies a more detailed or analytical division, suggesting that the larger entity was also analyzed or simplified in the process of being grouped.