divide by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divide by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical contexts to indicate the operation of division. Example: "To find the average, you need to add all the numbers together and then divide by the total count of numbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't divide by urgency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I divide by the length.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I wouldn't divide by anything.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's what we're going to divide by.

Yale University

Now we just divide by here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

6 1 THE DIVIDE, by Nicholas Evans.

The New York Times

Divide by the number of graduating seniors.

The Washington Post

It also sets the prescaler to divide by 256.

PIC in Practice A Project-based Approach

You divide by the volume, that equals the density.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Several prototypes, including the divide-by-2 with 3 and 5 stages of inverters, divide-by-3 and divide-by-5, are implemented in a standard 0.18 µm CMOS technology to verify the operation under a large injected signal.

Microelectronics Journal

Another fundamental problem is the divide-by-zero error.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions involving calculations, use "divide by" to clearly indicate the mathematical operation. For instance, "To find the percentage, divide by 100."

Common error

Avoid using "divide by" in contexts where separation or distinction is meant metaphorically, where a phrase like "distinguished by" or "separated by" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divide by" functions primarily as a phrasal verb indicating a mathematical operation. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in calculations and instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "divide by" is a common and grammatically correct term used to indicate a mathematical division operation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in academic, news, scientific, and wiki contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it appropriately and avoid metaphorical extensions where terms like "separated by" or "categorized by" might be more fitting. By understanding its specific function and contextual limitations, writers can effectively use "divide by" to communicate calculations and processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split by

This alternative suggests a separation into parts, similar to dividing.

partitioned by

Implies dividing into distinct sections or groups.

separated by

Focuses on the act of creating a space or distinction between elements.

demarcated by

Highlights the establishment of clear boundaries or limits.

sectioned off by

Emphasizes the creation of distinct sections.

segmented by

Suggests dividing into segments or portions.

fragmented by

Implies breaking into smaller, disconnected pieces.

broken down by

Suggests a detailed analysis or decomposition of something.

categorized by

Focuses on division based on shared characteristics.

subdivided by

Implies a further division of already divided parts.

FAQs

How do I use "divide by" in a sentence?

Use "divide by" to indicate the mathematical operation of division, such as, "To calculate the average, divide the total sum "by the number" of items."

What are some alternatives to "divide by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "split by", "partitioned by", or "separated by" to express the idea of division or separation.

Is it ever incorrect to use "divide by"?

While grammatically correct, using "divide by" may be inappropriate in contexts where a more nuanced term for separation or distinction is required. For example, in a qualitative analysis, you might say "categorized by" rather than "divide by".

What's the difference between "divide by" and "separated by"?

"Divide by" specifically refers to the mathematical operation of division. "Separated by" implies a distinction or space between two or more things. The choice depends on whether you're performing a calculation or describing a distinction.