divide the crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divide the crowd" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when referring to a situation in which a group of people, who are gathered together, are divided into two (or more) smaller groups. For example, "The organizer asked everyone to form two lines, in order to divide the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Like any skilful player with a manner that edges towards the listless side of languid, Boyd tends to divide the crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Police officers put on riot gear and withdrew long sticks from their belts, forming lines in an effort to divide the crowd and isolate the civil disobedients at the front of the building.

The Guardian

The hearing recalled clashes between the police and protesters at the 2003 demonstration, when tens of thousands of people never made it to the First Avenue rally because of metal barricades that divide the crowd and closed side streets in an effort to move access northward as the avenue near the event filled up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The chase ended up on a main road where police tried to divide the crowds and corner them.

Vice

-Have an opinion... being controversial may divide the crowds, but those who agree with you are more likely to share your content.

Huffington Post

Even his willingness to use executive orders divided the crowd into partisan camps.

The Economist

Dividing the crowd into a choir of two halves shouting at each other feels too showbiz until Meloy announces, "That's what's happening in American politics right now", and blasts into This Is Why We Fight, a stirring rocker about how power is being taken from the unions.

The Guardian - Music

They were greeted by 9,000 riot police, who divided the crowd and blocked off city streets to prevent the protesters from making their way to the square.

Forbes

This lasted for around an hour, before the police made a final push up the hill, dividing the crowd and sealing off the alleyways.

Vice

Music, on the other hand, has always been a more divisive, tribal game, and music awards (even the crowd-pleasing ones) regularly divide the spoils between genres.

Vice

Botsman [14] divides the crowd in three categories: subcontractors, professional drivers and casual drivers.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divide the crowd", consider the specific context. Is it a physical separation, a division of opinion, or a strategic maneuver? Choose the phrasing that most accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "divide the crowd" when you actually mean to disperse or scatter it. Division implies creating distinct groups, while dispersal suggests scattering in different directions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divide the crowd" functions as a verb phrase, with "divide" being the main verb and "the crowd" being the direct object. Ludwig's examples show the phrase describing actions taken to separate or create divisions within a group of people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divide the crowd" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of separating a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing how it can refer to physical divisions, strategic segmentations, or the highlighting of differing opinions. While "divide the crowd" is suitable for various contexts, it's important to distinguish it from phrases like "disperse the crowd" or "scatter the crowd", which imply spreading individuals rather than creating distinct groups. The phrase has a neutral tone and is most frequently found in News & Media. As revealed by Ludwig, being mindful of the intended meaning ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separate the crowd

Focuses on the physical act of separating individuals within a group.

split the crowd

Emphasizes the action of breaking the crowd into distinct factions.

polarize the crowd

Highlights the creation of opposing viewpoints within the crowd.

segment the crowd

Suggests a more strategic or analytical division of the crowd.

scatter the crowd

Implies dispersing the crowd, rather than neatly dividing it.

disperse the crowd

Stresses the action of spreading people in different directions.

partition the crowd

Indicates a formal or structural division of the crowd.

subdivide the crowd

Implies dividing the crowd into smaller groups.

break up the crowd

Highlights disrupting or terminating a crowd's gathering.

compartmentalize the crowd

Focuses on organizing the crowd into distinct sections with less interaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "divide the crowd" to describe actions like "Police used barricades to divide the crowd" or to represent conflicting opinions as in "The issue tends to divide the crowd".

What's the difference between "divide the crowd" and "split the crowd"?

While both phrases are similar, "divide the crowd" implies a more organized separation, whereas "split the crowd" can suggest a more abrupt or forceful separation.

Which is more formal, "segment the crowd" or "divide the crowd"?

"Segment the crowd" typically carries a more formal and analytical connotation, often used in marketing or strategic contexts, while "divide the crowd" is more neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "disperse the crowd" instead of "divide the crowd"?

Use "disperse the crowd" when the goal is to scatter the crowd in many directions, rather than creating distinct, separated groups.