deepen the divide

USAGE SUMMARY

"deepen the divide" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a situation in which two parties become more distant, distant, or antagonistic. For example: "The conflict between the two neighboring countries has only served to deepen the divide between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Anything prone to deepen the divide in the Conservative party has to be parked until after the 23 June EU referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Allowing "the best" universities to increase fees will deepen the divide and entrench a two-tier higher education system – based on wealth and prestige, not learning and opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both Israelis and Palestinians need to know, because more disinformation, more denial and lies, and yet more tragic myth-making only feed the hatred and deepen the divide.

The Guardian

Palestinian analysts have warned in the past that holding general elections in the West Bank alone would not produce a legitimate leadership for the Palestinian people and would only deepen the divide.

The New York Times

Last week's tragedy could drive a wedge between violent extremists and France's Muslims, the vast majority of whom are peaceful, or it could deepen the divide between France's minorities and the rest of the country.

The New Yorker

"The sad truth about our schools today is that, far from making opportunity more equal, they only deepen the divide between the rich and poor, the fortunate and the forgotten.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The measure will deepen the dividing line with the opposition Labour Party, which has recently crowned a new leader, Ed Miliband, who won his position with union support and who has promised to fight austerity moves that threaten that constituency.

The New York Times

We now have two choices: to deepen the divides that have split open – divides of race, place, age and class – and to hate those who voted "the wrong way".

The Guardian - Opinion

The elections have deepened the divide between the parties.

The Washington Post

In November, the group decided to split their rations, deepening the divide between the two factions.

The New Yorker

This dynamic is deepening the divide between the country's economic winners and losers.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deepen the divide", consider the specific context of the division. Be clear about what is being divided and the factors contributing to the widening gap. For example, "The new policy will only deepen the divide between the rich and the poor."

Common error

Avoid using "deepen the divide" in overly simplistic situations where a more nuanced description is possible. For instance, instead of saying "The argument deepened the divide", consider specifying how the argument increased the separation or disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deepen the divide" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that increases the separation or disagreement between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's used to describe how certain events or policies exacerbate existing differences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deepen the divide" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the exacerbation of differences between groups. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic contexts, the phrase serves to highlight negative consequences and warn against divisive actions. While versatile, it's important to use it with specificity, avoiding overuse in simplistic scenarios. Alternatives like "widen the chasm" or "exacerbate the rift" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Widen the chasm

Changes the metaphor from depth to width, emphasizing the extent of the separation.

Exacerbate the rift

Uses "rift" instead of "divide", suggesting a crack or fissure, and "exacerbate" to mean making it worse.

Intensify the polarization

Focuses on the concept of polarization, highlighting the movement towards opposing extremes.

Fuel the conflict

Shifts the focus to active conflict, implying that the divide is a source of ongoing struggle.

Amplify the discord

Replaces "divide" with "discord", emphasizing the lack of harmony and agreement.

Heighten the tension

Focuses on increasing tension, suggesting a build-up of stress and unease between the divided parties.

Sharpen the contrast

Emphasizes the differences between the parties, making the distinctions more pronounced.

Aggravate the separation

Similar to "exacerbate the rift", but uses "separation" to highlight the physical or emotional distance.

Increase the antagonism

Highlights the growing hostility and opposition between the divided parties.

Worsen the schism

Uses "schism", suggesting a formal or religious split, to describe the divide.

FAQs

What does "deepen the divide" mean?

The phrase "deepen the divide" refers to actions or events that increase the separation, disagreement, or antagonism between two or more groups or individuals.

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

You can use "deepen the divide" to describe situations where existing differences are made more significant. For example, "The controversial decision threatened to deepen the divide between management and employees."

What are some alternatives to "deepen the divide"?

Alternatives to "deepen the divide" include phrases like "widen the chasm", "exacerbate the rift", or "intensify the polarization" depending on the specific context.

Is "deepen the divide" formal or informal?

"Deepen the divide" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its impact may vary depending on the audience and the severity of the situation being described.