divide among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divide among" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are dividing something among a group of people. Example: I divided the cookies among the four children.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Divide among 3 plates.

The New York Times - Magazine

Divide among individual bowls.

The Washington Post

Divide among 4 deep bowls.

The New York Times - Food

Divide among four serving bowls.

The New York Times

4. Divide among 4 bowls.

The New York Times - Food

Divide among warm pasta bowls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Divide among four shallow bowls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Divide among 4 plates, and serve.

The New York Times - Food

The biggest divide among Democrats is metaphysical.

The New York Times

Divide among ramekins; smooth surface of mixture.

The New York Times

Divide among 4 shallow serving bowls.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divide among", ensure that you are referring to a division into multiple parts, given to multiple recipients. For fewer recipients, consider "divide between".

Common error

Avoid using "divide among" when referring to only two recipients. "Between" is the correct preposition to use in such cases. For example, "divide the cake between John and Mary", not "among".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divide among" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a directive, instructing the separation and distribution of something across multiple recipients. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates an action of distributing something within a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "divide among" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that is appropriate for conveying the act of distribution among multiple recipients. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and suitable for written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources like news media, academic papers, and lifestyle articles underscores its widespread acceptance. To ensure accuracy, remember to use "divide among" when referring to more than two entities, contrasting it with "divide between" for exactly two. By considering these nuances, writers can confidently and correctly employ "divide among" in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allocate amongst

This alternative emphasizes the distribution of resources or items among a group. Slightly more formal.

distribute amongst

This emphasizes a wider, less concentrated distribution, with less formal tone than "allocate".

share out

This is an informal way of saying "divide among" and emphasizes the act of sharing something.

spread among

Highlights even allocation and a less concentrated distribution among a group.

split up between

More informal, colloquial alternative, suggesting physical division between entities.

apportion between

This suggests a more deliberate division, often with a specific ratio or plan in mind. It often refers to division between two entities.

portion out

This emphasizes the division of something into portions or shares, often for consumption.

dispense to

This suggests a more formal or controlled distribution, often implying a careful allocation of something.

deal out

Informal alternative, often used when distributing cards or other items in a game.

mete out

This suggests a carefully measured distribution, often of something that is limited or scarce.

FAQs

How is "divide among" used in a sentence?

The phrase "divide among" is used to indicate the distribution of something to multiple recipients. For example, "Divide the tasks among the team members."

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

"Divide among" is used when distributing to three or more recipients, while "divide between" is used for two. The sentence "Divide the responsibilities "between the two teams"" is correct, but "Divide the responsibilities among the two teams" is incorrect.

What can I say instead of "divide among"?

Alternatives to "divide among" include "allocate amongst", "distribute amongst", or "share out" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "divide between" when more than two entities are involved?

No, it is not. When dealing with more than two entities, the correct phrase is "divide among". Use "divide between" only when there are exactly two entities.