close the divide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close the divide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of reducing or eliminating a gap or difference between two parties, groups, or concepts. Example: "Our goal is to close the divide between urban and rural education by providing equal resources to both areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have begun to close the divide.

The New Yorker

Merkel, true to form, did nothing to try to close the divide.

The New Yorker

In the last essay, Harrison describes the way her children have helped to close the divide.

The New York Times - Books

To try to close the divide between children and adults, Peiris is leading FDA efforts to make the approvals process for pediatric devices more efficient.

Stanford University

Designed in the 1870s and inspired by Islamic architecture, Leighton House shows how empathetic architecture can close the divide between peoples and religions.

The Guardian - Arts

If steps are not taken to close the divide, the computer pioneer Eric Benhamou warned a few weeks ago, in 10 years we will have "a society with 75percentt of the people extremely connected and 25percentt completely adrift".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Jason Jordan of Boston is one of the young people closing the divide.

The New York Times

ALEX KOPPELMAN: Now he's talking about closing the divide between the two parties.

The New Yorker

But shifting a culture toward work and closing the divide with Italy's northern neighbors won't be easy.

The New York Times

Later in the week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson opened a branch of his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Silicon Valley, with the goal of closing the divide among the poor.

The New York Times

But the falling price of laptops, more computers in public schools and libraries and the newest generation of cellphones and hand-held devices that connect to the Internet have all contributed to closing the divide, Internet experts say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close the divide", be specific about which divide you are referring to, such as "the digital divide" or "the political divide", to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "close the divide" in vague or overly general contexts. Ensure the divide is well-defined and that the proposed actions directly address the specific gap you're aiming to bridge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close the divide" functions as a verbal phrase, often used with transitive properties. It signifies an action aimed at diminishing or eliminating a gap between two distinct entities or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close the divide" effectively conveys the act of diminishing or eliminating differences between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While primarily used in neutral to professional contexts such as news, academia, and science, it is crucial to specify the divide to maintain clarity. Alternatives like ""bridge the gap"" or "narrow the gap" offer nuanced variations. Remember to avoid overly broad applications to ensure your message remains focused and impactful. Understanding these aspects helps in employing the phrase accurately and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bridge the gap

Emphasizes creating a connection across a difference.

narrow the gap

Focuses on reducing the size of the difference.

reduce disparities

Highlights minimizing inequalities between groups.

unite opposing sides

Suggests bringing together groups that are in conflict or disagreement.

foster unity

Focuses on promoting a sense of togetherness and agreement.

promote understanding

Emphasizes improving comprehension between different perspectives.

resolve differences

Highlights finding solutions to disagreements.

eliminate inequality

Focuses on completely removing disparities.

build consensus

Suggests creating a mutual agreement among different parties.

mend fences

Implies repairing damaged relationships.

FAQs

What does "close the divide" mean?

The phrase "close the divide" means to reduce or eliminate a significant difference or separation between two groups, ideas, or entities. It implies bridging a gap to create more unity or understanding.

How can I use "close the divide" in a sentence?

You can use "close the divide" to describe efforts to reduce disparities, such as, "The program aims to "bridge the gap" in educational opportunities between urban and rural schools."

What are some alternatives to "close the divide"?

Alternatives include phrases like "narrow the gap", ""bridge the gap"", "reduce disparities", or "foster unity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close the divide" or "reduce the divide"?

Both "close the divide" and "reduce the divide" are acceptable, but "close the divide" suggests a more complete elimination of the gap, while "reduce the divide" implies lessening the difference without necessarily eliminating it entirely.