divide across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divide across" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of distributing or separating something over a range or area, but it may require additional clarification. Example: "We need to divide across the different departments to ensure everyone contributes to the project."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sports continued to divide across latitudes and other lines in 2012.

The New York Times - Sports

The data suggested hoxb4a expression could be initiated non-cell autonomously and constrained after cells divide across the midline (see Discussion).

Plosone

Sample collection was divide across two locales, with 46% collected at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and 54% at Washington University in St Louis.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The EU is divided across social, political and linguistic lines.

The Guardian - Opinion

The title is underlined and divided across three lines.

The New York Times

We are much stronger as a society if we are united, not divided, across generations.

The Guardian

It's awful, and my attention is divided across a dozen different things.

The New York Times

The action is divided across individual rectangles, like a comic's panels.

The Washington Post

The country is bitterly divided across religious, regional, ethnic and class lines.

The Economist

This is a tall order for any country – particularly one as divided across sectarian right and left lines as Colombia.

The Guardian - Opinion

You should make sure your money is divided across different slices of the stock and bond markets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divide across", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being divided and the basis for the division. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "divide across" when a more precise verb like "distribute", "allocate", or "split" would better convey the intended meaning. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divide across" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of distributing or separating something over a range or among different entities. It specifies how a single entity is dispersed or allocated, as shown in the provided examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "divide across" is used to describe the distribution or separation of something among different entities, categories, or areas. While acceptable, it requires careful contextualization to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI suggests that it finds use in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's grammatically sound and effective when clear distribution or allocation is intended. Consider alternatives like "distribute among" or "split between" for greater precision. Despite its relative infrequency, mastering "divide across" can add nuance to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distribute among

Focuses on allocation to multiple recipients.

split between

Emphasizes dividing something into two or more parts.

apportion among

Highlights a fair or proportional distribution.

allocate across

Implies assigning resources to various categories.

spread across

Suggests a widespread or diffused distribution.

partition among

Focuses on creating distinct sections.

share between

Highlights joint usage or access.

separate among

Emphasizes keeping items distinctly divided.

segment across

Divides into categories based on characteristics.

scatter among

Implies a random, non-uniform distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "divide across" in a sentence?

Use "divide across" to show how something is distributed or separated into different areas or groups. For example, "The workload was divided across the team members."

What are some alternatives to "divide across"?

Consider using alternatives like "distribute among", "split between", or "allocate across" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "divide across" or "divided across"?

"Divided across" is the past participle form, typically used in passive constructions or as an adjective. "Divide across" is the base form, used in present tense constructions. Choose the form that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "divide across" and "divide among"?

"Divide across" generally implies a spatial or categorical distribution, while "divide among" typically suggests distributing something to individual recipients within a group.