divided about

USAGE SUMMARY

"divided about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which two or more people or groups are uncertain or disagree about something. Example sentence: The town was divided about the proposed zoning change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The euro zone was divided about Iraq.

The Economist

Americans are divided about the way forward.

The New York Times

The middle class is divided about Castro.

The New Yorker

"We were divided about what to do.

The New York Times

Critics became divided about his bifurcated career.

The New York Times

What are the parties divided about?

The New York Times - Magazine

The congregation is divided about the case.

The New York Times

The other parties are divided about Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Opinion was divided about his conducting.

The New York Times - Arts

Belgrade is painfully divided about the development.

The Guardian

People are very divided about it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divided about", ensure the subject of the division is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "divided about" when referring to a simple lack of knowledge. The phrase implies active disagreement or uncertainty, not just absence of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divided about" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate disagreement or lack of consensus regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science & Research

1%

Vice

0.5%

Huffington Post

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "divided about" effectively conveys disagreement or a lack of consensus on a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the division to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "split on" or "at odds over" exist, "divided about" offers a versatile and neutral option for expressing differing opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split on

Replaces "divided" with "split", emphasizing a clear separation of opinions.

at odds over

Highlights the conflict or disagreement present in the division.

in disagreement regarding

Formal alternative, emphasizing the lack of consensus.

differing opinions on

Focuses on the existence of multiple, distinct viewpoints.

not in agreement concerning

Formal and emphatic way of stating a lack of accord.

in conflict over

Emphasizes the contentious nature of the division.

holding opposing views on

Highlights the active and contrasting nature of the opinions.

controversy surrounding

Shifts focus to the contentious issue itself, implying division.

varied perspectives on

More neutral alternative, simply indicating different viewpoints exist.

discord over

Suggests a lack of harmony or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "divided about" in a sentence?

Use "divided about" to indicate that there are differing opinions or uncertainty regarding a specific topic. For example, "The committee was divided about the best course of action".

What are some alternatives to using "divided about"?

You can use alternatives like "split on", "at odds over", or "in disagreement regarding" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "divided on" instead of "divided about"?

While "divided on" is also grammatically correct, "divided about" is often preferred when referring to a specific issue or topic. Both are acceptable, but context may influence the better choice.

What's the nuance between saying someone is "conflicted about" something versus "divided about" it?

"Conflicted about" suggests an internal struggle within an individual, while "divided about" implies disagreement among multiple people or groups. The former is personal, the latter is collective.